Guttenberg Press

Serge Lee Sisler II, 55, completed his baptismal journey May 1, 2015, at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit, St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids.

A private family service was held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Per his wishes, his ashes will be spread on the beaches of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.

Dennis Milton Hamann, 68, of Garnavillo, died suddenly Thursday, April 30, 2015, in his home in National.

Visitation was Monday, May 4, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Garnavillo and one hour before services at the church.

Funeral service were Tuesday, May 5, at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkader, conducted by Rev. Jerome Godson.

Interment was at Garnavillo Community Cemetery with military honors.

  Submitted by Juanita Loven

Umbrella Art President

Few knew that a historic venture was taking place at the Welcome Center on Thursday, Feb. 19.  The FIRST recycled bottle cap fish mosaic was being created by Umbrella Arts (UA) volunteers. 

The idea for a bottle cap mosaic came about when Mayor Russ Loven and Juanita were vacationing in the Corpus Cristi area of Texas in March 2014. Friends took them out to for fish at Pop’s Tavern in Lamar. The Lovens were fascinated by huge bottle cap mosaics mounted on two walls.   Thus, the idea to recreate such a mosaic in Guttenberg was born.

After almost a year of collecting bottle caps from local businesses and individuals, washing and sorting caps by color, and formulating a plan, the creative part of Guttenberg’s first bottle cap mosaic was  completed; however, we had to wait for warmer weather to apply the final epoxy bar-top finish to preserve it in all kinds of weather and circumstances. This was accomplished on April 17.

This is an Umbrella Arts project. UA member Jeff Dolan donated the 30”x90” hollow core door that the mosaic is mounted on, plus a stand to aid in displaying this piece of art.   

By Molly Moser

Opening night of Shrek the Musical at the Clayton Ridge middle school auditorium played to a house packed with excitement, talent, and a very large crowd. The 262 seats in the auditorium were full, and additional seating made room for a total of about 280 in the audience. “Friday and Sunday were the biggest crowds I’ve had since being at Clayton Ridge,” said director Adam Radcliff. “We were very, very happy with the support and attendance from the families, community members, and out-of-towners!” 

Rehearsals for the high school musical began over 10 weeks ago. The four performances during the weekend of April 17 and the dress rehearsal the week before drew an estimated 1000 people to see Shrek the Musical. “We loved it!  Big audiences really get the kids pumped up and they do an even better job,” director Michelle Fassbinder told The Press. Junior Blake Bolsinger starred as Shrek, an ogre sent away from home at seven years old according to ogre tradition. In a Scottish brogue, Bolsinger sang and danced, according to some of his lyrics, as the face that launched 1000 insults. 

Junior Alex Simon played Shrek’s trusty sidekick, a donkey named Donkey. In full makeup, padded donkey suit, and wearing hooves on his hands and feet, Simon’s flashing eyes and dramatic and often frantic gesturing drew many chuckles from the audience.