Tripp

We have had a lot of fun getting this center opened and ready for the kids and adults….we now have set hours in the evenings for the kids from 7-10 weekdays and 7-11 on weekends.
The ping pong, pool and air hockey are constantly being played. The Xbox 360 and WII and our old xbox are also heating up the fun!! One 8 x 10 ft. projection TV, a widescreen, and a normal size TV are all set up with room for more. It is so nice to see 4 kids at a time driving against each other in a Mario racing with fantastic grapics and lots of obstacles to race through to earn a standing at the final flag….the WII interactive fitness program is so fun you forget it is a workout, also bowling, tennis, skiing, and many more interactive games where more than one can play are very popular…Seniors can use the center for card games, pool, or any game of their choosing during the daytime hours. It is operated by the honor system for them. To set up a time just call Rachel at 938-6802 or Vern at 935-6606 to be let in. Concessions are available…come in and check us out. (After School hours will be 3:30 to 6:00 then 7:00 to closing.) fee for playing games is $1.00 a night, $2.00 starting August 20th–wristband good for all night.

The Northwest Area Foundation Grassroots and Groundwork conference I attended in MN was outstanding!  Many partners in addressing poverty were there, my favorite speaker about poverty was Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa.  The number one speaker about strategy, Chip Heath (author of the book Make it Stick , which I brought home to share), explained making messages memorable and motivating.  I can not wait to share with you on June 11^th the other exciting things. 

A community Flea Market is set for the last weekend in June, 2008.
Thursday 26th thru Saturday the 28th. All items are donated and dropped off at the Fairland Ballroom on the north edge of town by the ballfields. Any person in need of clothing, furniture, tv’s, etc. are encourgaed to come and take whatever they need. If unable to donate that is fine, if you would like to leave a donation that is welcome also to help organize and advertise for the next year’s Flea Market. Last year’s market was a huge success and benefited many needy familes, college students, newly married couples, and just the population in general as the people in the area were glad to have a place for the items they no longer used. Volunteers are welcome to help set up and organize the market. Many items are already there and it looks like another outstanding year for donated goods.

In the last couple of weeks we have had several families inquiring about moving to Tripp. Our smaller grade school classes are larger than the ones moving through high school. That is a positive change ! People are finding out it is cheaper to live in a little town than the big city and worth the short drive if workig out of town. Small communities have a better social awareness and the kids feel more togetherness than trying to fight your way through a large population and school system. We are all friendly neighbors and welcome any new faces..

The Tripp Little League is offering their summer season ball activity again this year. There will be a sign up meeting at the Tripp Emergency Building on May 7th at 7:30. Parents will be asked to pay the insurance fee and to accept the rules of the League at the meeting. Kids of all ages are encouraged to come and play ball. Last year we had a great season and hopefully we will continue in that direction ! Amy Brown and Dee Sandau are the girls coaches, and Tom Heisinger is the boys coach.

Five days a week in Tripp at the Dugout Lounge the seniors ( 60 and over) can get the noon special for $2.50. Many take avantage of this meal not only because of the dollar value but also the chance to go uptown and visit with friends and get out of the house. This Mother’s Day May 11th the Dugout will be open for a noon meal to honor the mother’s in our community. Take advatage of staying near home and using this opportunity to patronize a home town business.

The staff at the South Central Child Headstart Office is in the area towns, including Tripp, looking for enrollees for the fall session of preschool. It is a free program that involves the family and their 3 and 4 year old children in a comprehensive learning program. It is an in home study and the children love the attention and the one on one settings. This program assures parents that their children will be ready for school. It also is very helpful to children with learning disablties. Please call Rachel Heisinger at 935-6802 or our toll free number at 1-877-384-3683 if you have any questions. An application will determine if you are eligible.

Members of our planning team met with our coach Dave Olson on Jan. 15 and reported the progress of our seven goals we chose in our strategic plan to work toward reducing  poverty and increasing  leadership for Tripp. Dave Olson facilitated the meeting and had lots of good ideas and new information on upcoming workshops.  Look under “upcoming dates to remember” for more information about the workshops.  (more…)