Jordan Rasmussen
Published: November 12, 2008

POTOSI – Everyone has collected something over the years big or small. However, two collectors have gone well beyond that, and now display their collection in their very Owen Museum at the Potosi Brewery.

Herb Page has been collecting beer memorabilia for decades.

“I have been at it for a long time, and it is sort of a lifelong obsession,” says Page

Page has collected everything from beer bottles, neon signs, jackets and just about every beer glass you can imagine. Page is a member of the national organization, the American Brewiana Association. That is a fancy way to say brewing collectibles.

The goal started about five years ago when local citizens decided to turn the abandoned Potosi Brewery into a national museum.

“We saw it develop, we saw it from bare walls, perhaps a ruin it sort of gave us a great deal of satisfaction to see how nice it finally turned out,” describes Page.

But the Brewery offers much more. If you visit you can check out the Great River Road interpretive center a room full of 120 years of Potosi Brewery’s history. In addition to the interpretive center there is the cave full of old brewing secrets.

“The workers use to get the ice from the river that was stored in ice houses and then put in a cave like this to keep the beer cold.” Page said.

Perhaps the most beautiful part is the handmade bar. It took over 2,200 hours to build.

But when it comes to visiting a brewery, people want to taste the beer. Bartender Jared Kasten serves five different kinds of homemade brew.

Kasten says that the best thing about the Brewery is, “The beer, the beer is wonderful; the food is great, and just the atmosphere.”

Folks from all over the world make their way to the brewery. That is quite an accomplishment for what started as just a few people’s dreams.

Jordan Rasmussen can be contacted at Jordan.Rassmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: November 6, 2008

DUBUQUE- The Thunderbirds have started off their season with an 8 and 1 record. The championship title could happen again according to Captain Kevin Sunde who has high expectations.

“We have been the number one team in this league, and we are respected to be that every time we step on the ice, and at the end of the season we expect to do that.” Sunde says.

The team is made up of 30 young men all with one goal on their mind, to win back to back championships. Coach Coombs thrives to get them their everyday but it’s not all work he says,” Being around the players and having fun and laughs and we are going to try to mold them into good young men.”

No matter what position the players have on the ice, there one goal is to work together Sunde says, “I wanna play college hockey and just play hockey as long as I can.”

For this hockey team it is much more than fights and hits, it is the Spirit of the players that is bring it each and every game.

If you want to head down to the five flags center for the Thunderbirds first home game make sure to get your tickets now for November 14th as they take on the Peoria Mustangs.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: October 29, 2008

We all know that Halloween mean pumpkins. While I was at the tri-state pumpkin barn I found two helpers who were eager to help me search for the perfect Pumpkin.

“You don’t want it to be too big or too small or too heavy or to light.” Samantha Clasen

says.

After we looked my helpers found just the right ones, but the farm offers much more than pumpkins this time of year. There is something for all ages: hay rides, haunted houses, feeding the animals, and running through a corn maze will put you in a fall.

Terry May’s family has been running the Tri-state pumpkin barn for over 45 years, and when it comes to pumpkins they’ve got it all.

“We sell a lot of different types of pumpkins you will see a lot of the whites the tans and other kinds to choose from.” said Terry May.

I ended up taking two pumpkins that day, all thanks to my wonderful little helpers.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: October 22, 2008

DUBUQUE-The Loras Cross Country team had their only home meet last week. The 25th Dr.Tucker Invite hosted seven women’s teams and five men’s teams. The Loras men and women both placed first in the team competition.

Mary Bridget Corken took first and had her personal record of 21:18 and hopes to better that record come conference.

“Everyone just keeps getting better throughout the season, our 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th girls keep getting better and our second pack are staying together a lot longer, and so we are looking really good.” said Corken.

The course, at the Dubuque soccer complex, helped Corken beat her Pre-Nationals record of 21:58.

The invite is named after a Loras coaching legend and current Loras Sports Camp direction Dr. Tucker.

“Dr. Tucker is a legend at Loras, he brought a lot of tradition to the program, so it’s nice that we could name it after him.” said Corken.

Loras Men

John Fry took an early lead to win the race for the men and senior Ryan Schaefer finished 5th with a big smile, and Alex Eischeid finished behind him scoring 6th for the Duhawks. John Fry’s early lead paid off.

“I have never really led a race like that all by myself so it was a little challenge but it was fun, I enjoyed it, I loved all the fans that came out and cheered us on.” said Fry, a transfer for the Duhawks this season.

Loras now starts to prep for the Iowa Conference Championships in Storm Lake, Iowa on November 1st.

For full results of the women’s race click here

For full results of the men’s race click here

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published October 15, 2008

BELLEVUE- For 46 years apples have been a part of the family for Dick and Joan Czipar.

“It’s definitely a family thing everybody pitches in and if you get out here you are liable to get handed a red shirt on any other day,” said Joan Czipar.

Now is prime apple picking time for the Czipars and their business has never been better.

“The busiest month is probably between the15th of September and the 15 of October, we are usually finished and all the apples are usually gone around thanksgiving,” said Joan.

In the meantime, there are plenty of tasty apple treats to enjoy. Czipar’s has everything from apple Jam, caramel apples, apple bread, apple pies, homemade apple cider; all from 24 varieties of apples.

At Czipar’s apple orchard most of the apples have already been picked but for some of the apples it is not quit cold enough to pick them yet. With over 10 acres of land with 2000 trees filled with great tasting apples, Dick said it is ok that some apples aren’t picked.

“There are so many good apples you know the red delicious are starting to take a hind seat,” said Dick Czipar.

That timeline means people can keep going out to enjoy the apple season, and Joan wants everyone to remember “Just come and visit us it’s a very homey place.”

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu