The Iowa State University Extension sponsored the Art Explosion day camp Tuesday at Mikkelson Park in New Hampton. About 20 children played games, had a water balloon toss and worked on seven different art projects throughout the afternoon. Chickasaw County 4-H and FFA council members helped instructor Renae Holthaus with the day’s activities.

    At the last meeting of the New Hampton Community School Board Monday night, several appointments were made for the 2008-09 school year.
    Bob Ayers was reappointed board secretary and treasurer. The State Bank of Lawler was reappointed school depository. New Superintendent Steve Nicholson was named Level I investigator for the school, and Chickasaw County Sheriff Marty Larsen will serve as the Level II investigator.
    New Hampton Police Chief Mike Anderson was appointed truant officer for students within the city, and Larsen will handle county residents.

    The New Hampton Industrial Corporation’s “Doctor Recruitment Fund” has reached half its goal to raise $30,000.
    Bob Soukup, New Hampton Economic Development director, said he’s been encouraged by the variety of contributions ranging from $25 to $2,500. Soukup said that he’s confidant that IDC will meet its goal.

    Dustin Weiss is on his way to making his singing dreams in Nashville come true.
    Weiss is launching his big stage debut in August when he opens for Kenny Chesney at the 2008 WE Fest held at the Soo Pass Ranch and Amphitheater near Detroit Lakes, Minn. Following that show, he will be moving to Nashville.
    The Nashua High School graduate got his first break when he took second place at the WE Fest Karaoke Roundup finals in May at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minn. From 60 finalists, the top three singers were booked to perform on the main stage at WE Fest.
    “Singing has always been my true passion,” Weiss said. “I always knew it was something I wanted to do. I love singing and music.”

    Although the Chickasaws were defeated by Waverly-Shell Rock three times during the regular season, their confidence wasn’t lacking when the two teams met in the first round of districts. And even though they were defeated 6-5, their effort made their coach proud.

    Turkey Valley didn’t try and steal a base Thursday night against top-rated BCLUW until the seventh inning, when Megan Lukes headed toward second. The move may have caught the Comets off guard, and it ended with Lukes scoring the winning run, advancing the Trojan girls to the state tournament this week with a 3-2 win.
    Lukes slid into second, saw the throw from the catcher go into centerfield and  hesitated only a moment, getting up and legging in toward third. The ball was also overthrown on that play, allowing Lukes to score, break the 2-2 tie and get mobbed by her teammates.
    “I never expected to happen what happened,” said coach Randy Novotny. “I figured with two strikes and two outs it was the ideal time to try and surprise them. We did take them totally by surprise since they made a total of five mental errors on the play.”