Fred Johnson, Georgie Tsushima, Emerald Ash Borer, and Shagstock
Originally broadcast 07/27/2015
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At the Unity Church's memorial service for former Ames resident and educator Fred Johnson, Fred's friends and family explain the meaning of the wooden radio displayed at the front of the room, which literally served as the urn for his ashes.
A gathering of more than 200 people at Brookside Park honored the memory of Georgie Tsushima, reknowned skateboarder and filmmaker from Ames, who died at the age of 26. Friend and skateboarder Derek Siedelmann describes Georgie and his life, the effect he had on many, and the moving gathering that culminated with a skateboard thumping salute and a rainbow in the sky. Derek tells us how skateboarding feels.
Ames Public Relations Officer Susan Gwiasda tells us that the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic is 10 miles from Ames and the proactive measures Ames is taking in anticipation of the destruction of Ash trees. Amy Yoakum, Natural Resource Specialist, and Erica Eaves, Outreach Coordinator at Story County Conservation, describe the innovative Wasp Watchers biosurveillance volunteer program to identify the presence of emerald ash borers. Amy also provides information on how to identify stricken trees.
Nevada resident Jessica Eyanson offers a portrait of community life and spirit in Nevada as she describes various ways residents gather to help and support each other, as well as the Nevada and Colo volunteer fire departments.
We highlighted the Story County Youth Fair, coming up on July 25-29, and 4-H, the organization that provides the structure for youth who participate in the fair.
The theme of the show was young people in Central Iowa. Max Ennes contributed a segment that he co-produced with Thea Brenner, both students at Ames High School. Their witty ideas on social media use were captured in their Teen Zone Report. Four podcasts from the Story County Stories Project were aired. They were produced by Leah Smith, Aaron Lewis, Michael Spencer, Jr., and Jordan Newbanks, who were Seniors at Ames High School this past year. And Gale Seiler brought us the story of Yesenia Ayala, a youth leader from the organization called Al Exito, serving Latino youth in Iowa. The show also aired Belinda Merritt’s weekly music update, and we shared a list of upcoming appearances of Presidential candidates.
Cornelia Flora spoke with Neil Harl about why and how he started the Center for International Agricultural Finance at ISU in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Susan Franzen spoke with Susan Lassila about how she started the original Iowa House (1994-2002) to provide lodging primarily for guests brought to Iowa State University during those years. Del Christianson followed with the story of IRIS, 