Iowa farm history will come to life September 12th & 13th, at the 33rd Annual Carstens Farm Days. From threshing to the saw mill, from the food to the crafters and vendors to the quilt show, from the tractors and equipment to the historic memorabilia of the Farm there is something for everyone to enjoy. The Carstens 1880 Farmstead is an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit located between Minden and Shelby, in Pottawattamie County.

You’re invited to see steam engines powering antique threshing machines, antique machinery, a parade, crafts, and entertainment. Over two hundred restored antique tractors will be on display. The original Carstens farm buildings will be open for tours. The buildings will be alive with demonstrations that will bring back memories for older visitors and teach valuable history lessons to young people.

To start Farm Days off right, a pancake breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The proceeds from the pancake breakfast go to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department volunteers will also serve lunch both days. Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.

The original 1880 horse barn has been restored this summer and will be open for all to see during the 2015 edition of Carstens Farm Days which takes place September 12 & 13, 2015.

A pork supper will be held on Friday evening, Sept. 11th,  from 5 – 7 p.m. Proceeds from the pork supper will benefit the Friends of the Trail Committee in Shelby in support of the Old Stone Arch Nature Trail. On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner. Proceeds from the chicken dinner will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead. Beginning at 6 p.m. Tamie Hall and Band will entertain visitors on the front lawn of the farmhouse.

Farmall tractors and equipment and related brands will be the featured line this year. All Farmall tractors & equipment owners are invited to bring their exhibits to display throughout the weekend. Horsepower-testing, sawmill operations and field demonstrations will occupy tractor exhibitors all day. Nearly 250 pieces of vintage equipment were on display during the 2014 Farm Days show. Visitors will enjoy watching most of the restored tractors as they go through the parade each afternoon at 2 p.m.

All vintage and classic car owners are encouraged to show and shine their vehicles during Farm Days. Bring classic cars, pick-ups or works in progress. A car display area will be available to showcase the many fine vehicles from the area. This is not a judged show, so you can come out and simply have some fun.

A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm. Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy. Even if you have never displayed a quilt before, consider joining the fun and bringing a quilt to display. Exhibitors are asked to deliver their quilts on Friday, September 11th. For details about the quilt show or to inquire about adding your quilt to the collection, please call Jan Hursey at 712-544-2662 or Marilyn Evans at 712-544-2266.

A quilt made especially for the 2015 Carstens Farm Days show will be raffled on Sunday evening. Raffle tickets can be purchased at area businesses. The quilt is now on display at the Shelby County State Bank in Shelby.

Foggy Mountain Cloggers will perform on Saturday, Sept. 12th at 12:30 p.m. on the farm’s main stage. On Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m., the River City Shakers will entertain young and old farmstead visitors alike. Various music acts will add to the fun and folksy atmosphere of Farm Days.

There will be over fifty crafters and vendors on hand. A special display of vintage seed corn sacks will be in the corn crib. A wide array of crafts will be available. From unique wooden creations to homemade jams and jellies, there will be something for everyone. A very healthy crop of farm-grown potatoes will also be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of potatoes will help make improvements to the farmstead.

On Sunday morning, Sept. 13th, a non-denominational worship service will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Carstens home. Worship will be led by Kirk Parsons of the Community of Christ Church in Persia. Everyone is welcome to join in the worship service.

Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years and older.For more information visit the web site: www.carstensfarm.com

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports a portion of 1500th Street just west of Redline is now closed for two-months, while a pipe replacement project is underway. The pipe is over and unnamed tributary of the East Branch of The West Nishnabotna River, in Polk Township sections 21-thru 28.

Residents in the area and Emergency Responders should plan to take alternate routes until the project is completed.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 slices canned pineapple
• 4 maraschino cherries

Filling:

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup crushed pineapple, well drained

Crust:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1.  Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.  Sprinkle brown sugar into an 8-inch ovenproof skillet.  Arrange pineapple in a single layer over brown sugar; place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple slice.

2.  For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.  Beat in flour and vanilla.  Add egg; beat on low speed just until blended.  Fold in crushed pineapple.  Spoon over fruit.

3.  Bake 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set.  Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes.  Loosen sides from pan with a knife.  Cool one hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.

4.  For crust, in a skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat.  Add cracker crumbs and cinnamon; cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until toasted.  Cool.  Just before serving, top cheesecake with toasted crumbs; pres to adhere.  Invert cheesecake onto a plate.

(Marilyn McGinnis, Citrus Heights, CA)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – An August survey suggests there will be little or no economic growth over the next three months in a nine-state region of the Midwest and Plains. A report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-American Business Conditions Index dropped to 49.6, compared with 50.6 in July.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota companies reported growth last month, but businesses in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma reported less economic activity. The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Creston say a Creston man was arrested Monday evening for Disorderly Conduct and Assault with Bodily Fluids. 29-year old Casey White was taken into custody at around 6:30-p.m. and brought to the Ringgold County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 bond.

And Creston Police are investigating the theft of about 150-to 200 2-by-4 pieces of lumber from the Fareway parking lot, in Creston. The incident happened sometime between Sunday and 6-a.m. Monday. The loss was estimated at $400.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Three people were injured after a semi was rear-ended by another semi Monday night on Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2005 Freightliner driven by 29-year old Mohamed Said Mohamed, of Fort Morgan, CO., was traveling east on I-80 west of the Avoca exit at around 10-p.m., when he slowed considerably due to the driver’s side door having come open.

When the rig slowed, it was hit from behind by 2013 Volvo Semi, driven by 26-year old Daniel Matthew Marks, of Omaha. The Volvo sustained heavy front end damage and came to rest in the median. The Freightliner came to rest on the right shoulder of the Interstate, a short distance away.

The drivers of both semis, who were wearing their seat belts, were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan by Walnut and Avoca Rescue crews. A passenger in the semi driven by Mohamed, 48-year old Javier Angel Pacheco, of El Paso, TX, was transported to the hospital by law enforcement. Pacheco was not wearing his seat belt.

Authorities in Montgomery County say a teenager who was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a collision, suffered minor injuries Monday evening, in Red Oak. The accident happened at around 5:40-p.m. at the intersection of N. 2nd and E. Maple Streets.

Officials say a car driven by 16-year old Lyndon Bright, of Red Oak, was traveling west on E. Maple, when it was struck on the passenger side by a car traveling south on N. 2nd Street. The other vehicle was driven by 79-year old Carol Watt, of Red Oak.

A passenger in Bright’s vehicle, 14-year old Hanna Smith, of Red Oak, was transported to the hospital later in the evening by her mother, after complaining about back pain that doctors diagnosed as back spasms.

No citations were issued. Damage from the crash amounted to $3,600.

Sheriff’s Officials in Pottawattamie County took a report about a stolen motorcycle Monday afternoon. Chief Deputy John Reynolds says the 2014 Harley Davidson FLS Softtail Slim with custom orange paint and pinstriping was taken from 41000 block of Frank Kearney Road in Oakland, sometime between 1 and 4:40-p.m.  The cycle, which also has a custom exhaust and foot pads, is valued at $20,000.

Anyone with information about the location of the cycle, is asked to contact the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office or your local authorities.

Pictures of the stolen motorcycle