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Tue
08
Dec

Taking learning to another dimension

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/08/2015 - 12:48

MFL MarMac senior Brayde Miller shows off the Rubik’s Cube pieces he’s developing with the high school’s 3D printer. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

The printing process begins on the students’ personal MacBook laptops, explained senior Collin Ostert (shown here). Through a website called Tinkercad, students use a computer aided design (CAD) program to develop 3D digital models.

On the CAD program, students use different shapes to form the basis of a design. The shapes can then be grouped together and manipulated to create the desired object.

Before printing occurs, students first view the model in a computer program that connects to the Maker Bot 3D printer. From there, the information about the object is sent to the printer.

MFL MarMac students in the high school’s industrial education classes first began using a 3D printer last fall. Since then, it’s become a unique and engaging resource.

Printing time varies depending on the size of the object. A small piece of student Brayde Miller’s Rubik’s Cube (shown here) takes one hour and 20 minutes. One of the pencil holders a student created in the spring took several days.

Once completed, the pieces feel like plastic. The objects are not completely solid, but instead have a 10 percent infill, which refers to the structure inside the object. It resembles a honeycomb or box-like pattern.

Also referred to as additive manufacturing, 3D printing involves creating a three-dimensional, solid object from a digital model. Through an additive process, objects are formed as a printer continually distributes thin, horizontal layers of a material, one on top of the other, until the desired object is complete. Students are currently creating ornaments for every MFL MarMac kindergartner.

Teacher Joe Milewsky said 3D printing has opened students’ eyes to new ideas and possible careers.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Since 3D printing was first developed in the 1980s, the technology has come a long way, allowing people to create product prototypes, machine parts, prosthetics, art and more. At MFL MarMac, it’s become a unique and engaging resource in the high school’s industrial technology classes.

Also referred to as additive manufacturing, 3D printing involves creating a three-dimensional, solid object from a digital model. Through an additive process, objects are formed as a printer continually distributes thin, horizontal layers of a material, one on top of the other, until the desired object is complete. This is unlike the single-layer, two-dimensional images formed with regular desktop printers.

Tue
08
Dec

Artistic activities

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/08/2015 - 12:40

Throughout October, MFL MarMac high school art students painted around a half-dozen interactive activities on the elementary playground, including this rocket ship hopscotch game. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

High school art students make recess more fun for kids

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Recess got a little more inventive for MFL MarMac elementary students this fall, as the blacktop in their playground area transformed into a colorful network of games and activities, thanks to two high school art classes.

Art teacher Michelle Meyer said elementary teacher Heidi Meyer approached her with the idea earlier in the school year. Throughout October, the high school students in Meyer’s drawing and painting classes made the idea a reality, taking class time to paint around half a dozen activities.

“My art students and I looked into a variety of interactive games that the elementary students would be interested in doing,” Meyer explained. 

Tue
08
Dec

Monona Council discusses proposed lot purchase for new Family Dentistry office

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/08/2015 - 12:30

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Monday night, the Monona Council discussed the proposed purchase and sale agreement of a city lot, located behind Fisk’s Farm and Home and the Davis Street Car Wash, for construction of a new Family Dentistry Associates of Monona office.

“We’re cramped for space a lot of the time in terms of treatment rooms and parking,” noted Dr. Mark Fohey of the current office at 101 Franklin St.

Fohey said expanding the current office was considered, but ultimately not feasible. 

Fri
04
Dec

Loras John Kluesner

Submitted by admin on Fri, 12/04/2015 - 13:57

 

Loras John Kluesner, 75, of Marquette, Iowa, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Prairie Maison, Prairie du Chien. 

Loras John was born Aug. 2, 1940 in Farley, Iowa, to Joe and Norma (Schute) Kluesner. He graduated from MFL High School in 1958. After high school, Loras enlisted into the United States Air Force and served his country for six years. 

Tue
01
Dec

Zoning change requested to build condos on former Holiday Shores property

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/01/2015 - 11:09

Since the Holiday Shores Motel was demolished in September, a banner calling for “no condos” has appeared sporadically next to the riverfront property. After months of speculation about the site, Trilogy Partners, LLC, who purchased the property in June, appeared before the McGregor Planning and Zoning Board Nov. 30 to request a zoning change in order to build condominiums at the location. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

After months of speculation, Trilogy Partners, LLC, who purchased the Holiday Shores Motel property in June, appeared before the McGregor Planning and Zoning Board Nov. 30 to request a zoning change in order to build condominiums at the location.

A mainstay on the McGregor riverfront since the 1960s, the motel was demolished in early September, after being closed all summer.

Tue
01
Dec

Holiday Train chugs into Marquette Dec. 8

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/01/2015 - 11:08

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will once again bring holiday cheer to the area as it stops in Marquette, at the marina parking lot, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 5:05 p.m. (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will once again bring holiday cheer to the area as it stops in Marquette, at the marina parking lot, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 5:05 p.m.

Now in its 17th year, the Holiday Train is adorned with thousands of lights depicting holiday scenes on 14 rail cars, one of which turns into a stage for musical performances.

However, putting on a dazzling light display is just half of the Holiday Train equation, as attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation as admission. Since 1999, the train, which stops in 150 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada each year, has raised nearly $9.5 million and collected 3.3 million pounds of food.

Tue
24
Nov

Festival of Trees sets the holiday mood

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/24/2015 - 11:20

Let the fifth annual Festival of Trees get you in the holiday spirit. Held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, at the McGregor’s Landing Event Center, the event offers dozens of colorfully-decorated trees, holiday music, food and crafts, all for a good cause. (NIT file photos)

One activity kids can enjoy at the Festival of Trees is gingerbread house-making.

“There’s a lot of music this year,” noted Festival of Trees committee member Rogeta Halvorson. Featured performers include Santa’s Combo, The Ruckus Band, Victorian Carolers, Diane’s Aunts, a barbershop quartet and MFL MarMac fourth graders. Attendees can also take part in “carol-aoke,” a Christmas carol version of karaoke.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Let the fifth annual Festival of Trees get you in the holiday spirit. Held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, at the McGregor’s Landing Event Center, the event offers dozens of colorfully-decorated trees, holiday music, food and crafts, all for a good cause.

Festivities kick off Friday, at 3 p.m., when attendees can begin viewing trees. A half-dozen vendor booths will be set up offering crafts and other gifts, as well. 

Fifty trees will be on display throughout the weekend, all lovingly decorated by individuals, businesses and organizations from area communities. Many are like works of art, noted Rogeta Halvorson, a Festival of Trees committee member.

Tue
24
Nov

Small Business Saturday event encourages people to shop local

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/24/2015 - 11:16

‘Tis the season…to shop local. McGregor and Marquette businesses are hoping to encourage shoppers to do just that this holiday season, beginning on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

‘Tis the season…to shop local. McGregor and Marquette businesses are hoping to encourage shoppers to do just that this holiday season, beginning on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, 15 businesses in the two communities will collaborate to offer activities, refreshments and special shopping deals.

Tue
24
Nov

MFL MarMac raises awareness for type 1 diabetes

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/24/2015 - 11:15

Throughout November, which is National Diabetes Awareness Month, MFL MarMac Schools have worked to fundraise and increase awareness for type 1 diabetes. Dalton Krause, a fourth-grade student in Mrs. Dull’s class, won these #SWAG socks after he paid $1 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and was entered into a drawing for “Sock it to T1D,” which was last week’s “Fundraise Wednesday.” (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Throughout November, which is National Diabetes Awareness Month, MFL MarMac Schools have worked to fundraise and increase awareness for type 1 diabetes.

Often referred to as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed among children and young adults. The disease affects 1.25 million Americans, including 200,000 youth. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 1 diabetes occurs when a person’s body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body needs to get glucose—which comes from the sugars and starches the body takes in—from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. The condition is managed with insulin therapy and other treatments.

Tue
24
Nov

Snack pack program aids local fourth and fifth graders in need

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/24/2015 - 11:14

Volunteers from three of the churches in McGregor’s Ecumenical Council—First Lutheran, First Congregational and St. Mary’s—meet monthly to assemble snack packs of food for fourth and fifth graders at the MFL MarMac McGregor Center who are in need of food during weekends away from the school’s regularly-provided meals. Volunteers include (left to right) Dorothy Peterson, Mary Chappell, Meda Weller, Edith Nading, Alice Staples, Von Redemske, Gerrie Hendrickson, Linda Munson, Carol Grady, Rachel Pruett and Betty Sweeter. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Volunteers Alice Staples, Betty Sweeter, Dorothy Peterson and Gerrie Hendrickson work to assemble the snack packs, Ziploc bags filled with foods like cereal, fruit snacks, cheesy crackers, pudding cups, apple sauce, juice boxes, granola bars and macaroni and cheese.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

“It’s very sad to think about someone going hungry.”

Those were the thoughts of Alice Staples, a local resident who, along with other members from the churches within McGregor’s Ecumenical Council, are working to make sure that isn’t the case for kids in the MFL MarMac School District.

Every month, these volunteers get together to assemble snack packs, gallon Ziploc bags filled with food to tide kids over during weekends away from the school’s regularly-provided meals.

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