2 Broadcaster Press September 5, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says Pre-Paid Debit Cards For Kids? Become Debt-Free Before Marriage? Dear Dave, I’ve seen lots of companies mar- Dear Dave, keting pre-paid debit cards for kids. I’ll be getting married in a few months, and I just finished reading They seem to position them as a way some of your books. You make a lot of sense, but now I’m wonderparents can set spending limits for ing if I need to talk to my fiancée about postponing the wedding their children. Do you think these are until I pay off all my debt. How do you feel about this? a good idea? It seems to me they are Nick just a form of conditioning to get kids to rely on cards. Dear Nick, Keith First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I admire your desire to get out of debt and take control of your finances, but Dear Keith, you’re talking about marrying the woman you love. You do not I agree with your assessment. I don’t have to be debt-free to get married. recommend pre-paid debit cards for If you guys are on the same page when it comes to money, and children, except in very unusual situ- you’re both willing to work together on paying off any debt after Dave ations. Let’s say your kid was going on a you’re married, there’s no reason to postpone the wedding. You trip, and you wanted him or her to have two shouldn’t be paying each other’s debt before you get married, something in their pocket for limited ac- but once the rings are on your fingers, and you’re pronounced cess to cash. But if they’re old enough and “as one,” then everything shifts from being “mine” and “hers” to responsible enough, I’d rather them have a traditional debit card “ours.” attached to their own account. — Dave What I really want parents to do is teach their children how to work, give, save and spend wisely. It’s all about teaching your children to become good adults, and handling money is part of the equation. How does that apply to something like a pre-paid debit * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and busicard for a kid? For the child, they’re looking at it like mom and dad ness, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestare an ATM. They don’t equate it with real money unless they put selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each their cash into the card. I suggest helping them open a checking account with a debit card week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow attached around age 15 or 16, provided you have taught them – Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramand they have demonstrated – wise money management practices sey.com. up to that point. Teach them to reconcile and balance the account, and walk with them when they do this so they don’t slip into the idea a debit card is some magical portal to free money! — Dave RAMSEY ‘Dive Into Fall’ At 17th Annual Great Akron Scarecrow Festival Akron, IA – Families from across northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota will kick off the fall season at the Great Akron Scarecrow Festival in Akron, Iowa, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The 17th annual festival held in the Akron City Park will feature a scarecrow decorating contest, homemade food and baked goods, kids’ games and activities, a petting zoo, and dozens of craft vendors. The theme for the 2017 festival is “Dive Into Fall,” highlighting the start of the autumn season and the Akron community’s efforts to raise funds for improvements to the community swimming pool. The pool improvement fund is just one of the many projects supported by proceeds from the annual festival. Following the 2016 festival, more than $10,000 were donated to about 25 projects, programs and events in Akron and Westfield. “We’re excited to host a familyfriendly event in a small-town atmosphere,” said Lisa Nielsen, member of GFWC/Iowa Friendship & Service Club and one of the festival coordinators. “What started as a small event has grown to attract visitors, competitors and vendors from throughout the region and helps raise funds to support programs all year long.” The festival is hosted and organized by the 40 members of the Akron Friendship & Service Club, a non-profit charitable and service organization that is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), and supported by dozens of volunteers. The highlight of the festival is the scarecrow decorating contest, and the 2017 contest includes several new ways to win. Contestants of all ages create and decorate scarecrows of all sizes, shapes and themes to compete for more than $800 in cash and donated prizes. Scarecrows are judged in three age categories: preschool through 5th grade, 6th through 12th grade, and adult. Over 95 Years In Business In addition to the first, second and third place prizes in each age division, other prizes include: • Best “Dive Into Fall” themed scarecrow will be recognized with a family pass to the Akron City Pool for the 2018 summer season. • People’s Choice award voted on by festival goers. People’s Choice voting will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the festival information booth. • “Chamber’s Choice” award will be presented by the Akron Chamber of Commerce to the best scarecrow in the Adult category and combined preschool through 12th grade categories that shows the best hometown spirit and support of Akron and Westfield communities and businesses. • “School Spirit” award will be presented by the Akron-Westfield Athletic Booster Club for scarecrow that shows the best Westerner spirit. Participants are encouraged to be creative with both the themes and materials used for creating their scarecrows. From superheroes to movie stars, and minions to traditional scarecrows, it is always fun to see what personalities the competitors choose to create each year. For festival goers who would like to take the fall fun home with them, an auction of the scarecrow entries will be held at 2:00 p.m. All scarecrows entered in the adult and 6th through 12th grade categories will be auctioned. Children in the preschool through 5th grade category can decide whether to take their scarecrows home or auction them. Children will keep busy all day with carnival games, mini-train rides, inflatables and a free petting zoo. Face painting and glitter tattoos are also available. Community and school leaders will take a turn in the “Splash Into Fall” booth where kids can pay to throw sponges at their favorite teachers, coaches and administrators. Festival visitors won’t leave hungry. Serving... Vermillion, Yankton, Sioux City and Everywhere In Between Food booths and vendors will feature taverns, hot dogs, tacos-in-a-bag, homemade pies, kettle corn, funnel cakes, and other fall treats. The “Nature’s Harvest” store includes hundreds of homemade breads, cakes, pies and treats made by Friendship & Service Club members for purchase. More than 40 vendors will offer crafts, clothing, popular brand products, and food for sale. Funds raised from the 2016 Scarecrow Festival were used to support projects across the community including a donation to the Akron swimming pool improvement fund, sponsoring the children’s theater performance at the Akron Opera House, medical equipment for Akron EMS, new children’s furniture at the Akron Library, and improvements at the Akron City Park, Akron Area Museum, Akron Children’s Center, Akron Senior Citizen Center. The Friendship and Service Club supports scholarships for students, classroom programs and several student groups at Akron-Westfield, including National History Day participants, FFA, Art Club, and the Dance Team. For more information, visit www. AkronScarecrowFestival.com or email AkronScarecrow@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook at “Great Akron Scarecrow Festival” to learn more about the event and to enter weekly giveaways and contests ahead of the festival. The Akron Friendship & Service Club is a non-profit charitable organization that brings together women from Akron and surrounding communities to promote friendliness, local and area support, and an awareness of causes around us. The GFWC/Iowa Friendship & Service Club is part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), an international organization founded in 1890 for the betterment of society through a variety of community improvement projects (www.gfwc.org). The club is also a member of GFWC/ Iowa (www.gfwciowa.org). Upper Midwest Grain elevators 605-66 5-5770 tabor • iren e • Full serv mec ice kling custom Fe • gr • utic a a ed • gr in marke ting indin g & mixing Vermillion: 605.624.5618 • Yankton: 605.665.4348 Sioux City: 712.252.2000 www.uticagrain.com Free storage until october 1, 2017 Call for details on our new marketing program Bearly Keeping Up By Daris Howard I was joining the scouts of our community on a high adventure into the Jedediah Smith Wilderness, and it’s bear country. It’s not only bear country; it’s grizzly country. That meant we needed to be prepared. All three of us men who were leaders were packing weapons just in case. I was also carrying bear spray. I had once had a dangerous encounter with a coyote pack that almost ended in disaster for me. I had also had some close encounters with black bears and mountain lions, and I was taking no chances. None of us men expected to run into any trouble, and we definitely hoped we wouldn’t. But we felt responsible for the young men in our charge and didn’t want to take chances. The boys, on the other hand, didn’t seem to think twice about it. We had barely lifted the packs onto our backs for the five-mile hike into Hidden Lake before they were hiking fast and increasing the distance between themselves and us. They were young, healthy, and energetic, and we were much older, with declining energy. Our packs were also heavier, since we were carrying extra items for the camp. We pushed ourselves hard to make sure we stayed within calling distance of the boys, and by the time we arrived at the camp I was exhausted. I was the oldest, and it seemed to wear on me the most. I set up my tent and just climbed into it, too tired to move for about an hour. The boys, meanwhile, were off to fish at the lake. There were a lot more people around the lake so weren’t too nervous about them being a little farther away, but we still tried to keep a watch in case there were any problems. We were careful to put our food into the somewhat broken-down bear box that was provided at the camp. And we made sure no one had any food in their tents so as not to attract bears. Though there were a few signs of bears, like claw marks in trees, none of them were fresh. One boy claimed he heard a bear snorting in the middle of the night, but we finally determined that it was more likely somebody snoring. Still, we were cautious. On the day we were to hike back out of the wilderness, the boys wanted to stay as long as they could. The fishing had been good, and they wanted to do some more before we left. This meant we wouldn’t be hiking until the afternoon, and we would need to do a strong, fast hike to get out in time to get to our next campsite at Grassy Lake. The boys came back from the lake later than expected. Though many of us had our gear packed to go, the ones who had been fishing still had to take down their tents and load them into their packs. So by the time we were ready to move out, the sun was starting down the western sky. This made the boys more anxious to hike faster. The smallest boy also happened to be the Scoutmaster’s son. He weighed less than my pack, but he had more energy than an atomic explosion. He didn’t want to be held back by us “old guys,” wanting to hike at a much faster pace. Knowing this, his father warned him about the bears and told him to make sure he stayed close enough that he could hear and see us at all times so we could be there in an instant if there was a problem. “Oh, Dad,” he said. “I’ll be fine. No bear could catch me.” “Jason,” his father said, “a bear can outrun every human every time. And as small as you are, you would be nothing but a Scooby snack to a bear.” The second-smallest boy, Devon, decided to help out. Sounding grownup and talking as if he would be responsible, he said, “I’ll keep up with Jason so he’ll be okay.” As Jason’s dad rolled his eyes, I laughed. “That will be great,” I said. “Together you two will just make a Scooby snack bonus pack.” Jason’s dad laughed, but with that, we shouldered our packs and once more hiked fast to keep up, just in case the boys met a Scooby-snack loving bear. Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed Sept. 10-16 Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week in South Dakota. DSP Recognition Week highlights the efforts of those who work closely with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DSPs help individuals with disabilities to participate in their communities, find employment, and lead full and independent lives. Many South Dakotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely upon DSPs to deliver their individualized support services and help them to achieve their goals. “DSPs are the most kindhearted and dedicated people you will ever meet. They are essential in ensuring people with disabilities have equalyou saw it in the Tell them opportunities to achieve their dreams,” said South Dakota Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Director Darryl Millner. DSPs are employed by 20 Community Support Providers throughout the state as well as the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield. DSP Recognition Week in South Dakota coincides with National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week to celebrate DSPs across the country, which also begins on www.broadcasteronline.com Sept. 10. Broadcaster! Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 624-4429 Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion 624-4429 www.broadcasteronline.com ed You are invit TellTo take ayou saw them Stitch Back in Time! it in the Broadcaster! he Farmers’ 624-4429 Daughters’ Sewing www.broadcasteronline.com Museum Sept. 9 & 10 * 1-6 pm 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion 31417 Bluff Road, Vermillion Follow on Instagram – thefarmersdaughtersmuseum Or contact – thefarmersdaughtersmuseum@gmail.com NO Charge