Rita Dirksen is proud of her growing family. With 10 children, 46 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren, the family overflows her home and can easily get group discounts during get-togethers. As the grandchildren age, more great grandchildren join the family as is the case in the average home. Recently, Rita’s number of great grandchildren increased, not by a birth, but by a reunion of a great grandson who had been adopted out of the family 18 years ago.
When he was a baby, Matthew was adopted through Catholic Charities. He had been adopted through closed adoption, so he had no contact with her, nor she with him. While Matthew had an interest in meeting his birth mother, he had not yet made any attempt to find her. It was his birth mom who found her adopted son.
Matthew's adoptive mother, the woman he had known as his mom since birth, passed away shortly after he turned 18. His biological mom saw the obituary in the paper and discovered where her son was living. She wrote him a letter, asking if they could meet. He drove to her house, and he was welcomed into his "new" family. She returned the visit as she attended his high school graduation.
"I'm happy she saw me graduate," stated Matthew.
A farmer's son at Larchwood, Iowa, Matthew loves his farm life and the family he has loved for 18 years, but he could tell that his family didn't have all the traits his personality dictated.
"I always knew that my family wasn't where I came from, that my adoptive family was different than me," said Matthew. "I fit in well with my "new" family."
Since their initial meeting, Matthew has been meeting his long lost relatives. Recently he went on a camping trip with the family and met nearly everyone. His family tree has branched out big time, and they are pleased to be a part of his life.
“To really hug a full-grown handsome young man was quite a feeling,” said Rita. “I’m so thankful his mother chose adoption rather than abortion.”
The Danbury Fire Department began fighting fires 116 years ago, and, as a department, they raised money by holding dances. The present fire department continues fighting fires and raising money with their annual street dance.
The Danbury Fire Department’s Annual Street Dance and BBQ will be held this year on Saturday, August 9th. The BBQ will be held from 5:00 until 10:00 p.m., and the dance featuring Over the Border will begin at 8:00 and play until 12:00 a.m.
Proceeds will benefit the Danbury Fire Department.
St. Mary’s Rosary Society in Danbury invites you to enjoy a classic chicken dinner without all the work. The society will hold a chicken dinner on Sunday, August 10th from 11:00 until 1:00 at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Danbury. Along with the chicken which is catered by Staley’s, potato, dinner roll, salads, desserts and beverage are included in the feast.
The cost is $8.00 for individuals age 11 and older, $5.00 for people from 5-10 years old, and children 4 and under are free. Carryouts are available. Please call the school at 883-2020 by 11:30 for carryouts.
Now that the area county fairs are done, we are hoping to print our annual fair issue in a couple weeks. By then we should have the results from the state fair, too.
If you exhibited a champion or reserve champion project (4-H, FFA, or Open Class) at any fair, call us at 893-2001 to be included in the fair issue. If you live in the area we’ll be happy to come and take your picture. If you don’t live in the area or already have a picture, please submit a picture to us about your achievements either by email
With school less than a week away, the middle and high school sports teams will be in full practice, if they aren't already.
Fifth and sixth graders who would like to play football can do so for six Saturdays in September and October. The Mapleton recreation department is planning a football team for these kids. The cost is $40 to play, and this includes the equipment the children will need.
Anyone interested in playing is asked to call Shawn Collins at 881-2213 by August 12th so he can get practices set up.
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Recycle DayThe next recycle pick up is scheduled for Friday, August 15th. Friends of the
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