SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 14, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/20/22
In this edition:
*RIP Bonnie Slatton
*JC Dems Fall BBQ
*Iowa City Book Festival
*Happy 88th Birthday Sandy Hanson!
*Generations
*Conservation Donation and Purchase
*Did You Know?
*RIP Bonnie Slatton
Iowa lost a true giant recently with the passing of Bonnie Slatton. A Title 9 pioneer, Slatton served on the Board in Control of Athletics for over 20 years. She represented the UI to the Big Ten Conference. She served as the President of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports. And she served as a member of the US Olympic Committee!
I had some really good instructors during my time at the UI. Slatton was one who really stood out. She was always very calm, but the content she delivered was always fascinating. I am glad I had the opportunity to learn from her.
*JC Dems Fall BBQ
The Johnson County Democratic Party is having its Annual Fall BBQ Sunday, October 9 from 4-7pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/470867084629350/?ref=newsfeed for tickets and more information.
This is an important fundraiser that will help Mike Franken, Christina Bohannan, Deirdre DeJear, and all our state and local candidates. Plus there is always great food and good conversation. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of the party! Please join us!
*Iowa City Book Festival
A great annual event is almost upon us – the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization is proud to offer you nearly two weeks of excellent, one-of-a-kind, free, literary programming as part of the 2022 Iowa City Book Festival. Iowa City is a City of Literature for many reasons: The wonderful writing programs at the University of Iowa, our small presses and magazines, our wonderful libraries, our bookstores, and amenities like the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk.
The Iowa City Book Festival is organized by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, a nonprofit 501(c)3 that manages the Iowa City area’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. The City of Literature works to advance its mission of celebrating and supporting literature on a local, regional, national, and international level, connecting readers and writers through the power of story. For more info please see:
https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/icbf/
*Happy 88th Birthday Sandy Hanson!
One of my favorite people in all of Johnson County is celebrating her birthday on Sunday. Sandy Hanson is in the middle of just about all the good work that happens in Solon. And she is celebrating 88 years with a party at the Solon Legion on Sunday, September 18 at 1pm. Happy Birthday, Sandy!
*Generations
I was thinking about generations the other day. You know what I am talking about – a social construct that goes something like this:
Gen Z or Centennials: Born 1996 – TBD
Millennials or Gen Y: Born 1977 – 1995
Generation X: Born 1965 – 1976
Baby Boomers: Born 1946 – 1964
Silent Generation: Born 1928 - 1945
Greatest Generation: Born 1900-1928
Lots of folks debate the years attached here. Frankly, I’m not certain there is a single correct answer. Perhaps more importantly, I’m not sure it matters. And while I find this interesting, I do not believe that it means much. I have always felt that there was little benefit to grouping tens of millions of people based solely on the year of their birth.
That said, I do think it is important to recognize that shifts are taking place. Very few people are left from the Greatest Generation. The youngest people in the Silent Generation are now 77. And well over half of the Baby Boomers are older than 65. Meanwhile, Millennials are the largest generation in history, and the Centennials are now in the workplace.
*Conservation Donation and Purchase
Johnson County Conservation Board announces acquisition of the Two Horse Farm
The Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB) has acquired 83 acres in north central Johnson County. The property, known locally as the Two Horse Farm, was acquired through a donation and purchase agreement through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Erin and Brian Melloy, former owners of the property. The property is located at 2257 Sugar Bottom Road NE, Solon and is adjacent on two sides to the US Army Corps of Engineers – Coralville Lake Project. The property was acquired through a generous donation from the Melloy’s, combined with funds from the State of Iowa REAP Grant Program and the Johnson County Conservation Bond fund.
This 83-acre tract is covered by 64 acres of forest, 15.5 acres of reconstructed prairie, and a 3.5-acre farmstead. The site includes 364 species of plants including at least 14 rare and notable species. Some of the woodlands are former high-quality oak-hickory savannas or open woodlands that have never been cropped and are worthy of additional restoration efforts.
In addition to their ecological importance, the woodlands and prairies invite human exploration and enjoyment. The view from the land’s high point provides a spectacular view of the Iowa River valley and Coralville Lake. Conversely, this land preserves the prairie-woodland viewshed seen from Coralville Lake or Sugar Bottom Recreation Area trails.
This project also includes an additional 7 acres of prairie that the Melloy family has gifted to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. The 7 acres of prairie are embedded within the boundaries of this project and include the high knob of land overlooking the Iowa River valley and Coralville Lake. This donation to the Iowa Tribe is historic in terms of providing a piece of land through which the Ioway people can reconnect, both physically and spiritually, to their ancestral homeland. Currently, the Iowa Tribe has no land holdings in the state of Iowa. The partnership with the Ioway people will provide outstanding educational opportunities for park visitors to relate to the earth and to Native American cultural values.
The farmstead, which is in excellent condition, invites visitors to consider Iowa farm life a century ago. Opportunities for immersion in such sites are rapidly disappearing across Iowa. The beautifully preserved and restored 1890s-era farmhouse is surrounded by English gardens with many native plant species. The original farmhouse will provide critically needed office space for JCC educators and management staff working here and at Cangleska Wakan. The newer, 1992 addition will be rented to families or organized groups for retreats and week-long visits.
The nearby good-sized barn, constructed in 1913 and also in excellent condition, has received an Award of Distinction from the Iowa Barn Foundation. This barn, which is used by the wildlife-rescue non-profit organization RARE, provides flight pens for rehabilitating large birds of prey; these and several permanently injured birds are housed in a circular open-air grain-bin-sized pen at the site.
JCC envisions this land being used for quiet explorations by families or small groups through activities such as hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, environmental education, and nature appreciation (e.g. bird watching, wildflower identification, mushroom collection). The rental of the house will provide similar opportunities for additional users.
It may take 1-2 years to get the property fully adapted to public use. This will include signage, a new parking area and latrine or restroom facility. For more information about the site please contact officials with Johnson County Conservation at 319-645-2315 or email lgullett@johnsoncountyiowa.org
*DID YOU KNOW? The Conservation Bond, passed by the voters in 2008, has financed much of the Clear Creek Trail, the Solon to Ely Trail, the Mehaffey Bridge Road Trail, the Ciha Fen, Cangleska Waukon, the Melinda Reiff Reilly Prairie, big additions to Cedar River Crossings, and much more.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 9:32 PM
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