It’s one of the most famous movie lines of all time. “People will come, Ray,” actor James Earl Jones says in the film. “People will most definitely come.” And people did come – thousands of them – for the “Field of Dreams” 25th Anniversary Celebration this past weekend. Fans from around the world and celebrities, too — including the movie’s star, Kevin Costner — all made the trip to Dyersville, Iowa to spend time at the site where the movie was filmed 26 years ago. To mark the silver anniversary of the film’s release, celebrities like Costner and fans gathered on the field Friday night to watch the movie together on the big screen.

“It’s nice to know people feel the same way about the film 25 years later,” Costner said. At a press conference on Saturday, Costner told the crowd that Friday night had been a special moment for him, since it was the first time he got to watch the movie with his three young children. Some other members of the cast were there, too. Actor Timothy Busfield portrayed Costner’s skeptical brother-in-law in the movie. “I don’t know if anybody thought that it would be 25 years later and we’d still be an iconic movie,” Busfield said. “You don’t aim for the fences. You try to do your best job 12 hours a day…and what’s its become you don’t ever expect.”

Dwier Brown, the actor who played Costner’s father in the movie, appears in one of the most emotional moments of the film, but Brown says the scenes he likes best are the ones that make you laugh. I like when Tim walks in front of the pitch. Every time the movie’s going on, I have to watch that bit,” Brown said. “I also like it when Kevin’s arguing with them about why he doesn’t get to go into the field and he says” ‘I’ve done everything and I’ve never asked: “What’s in it for me?” And they say: ‘What are you saying?’ And he says: ‘What’s in it for me?'” N-B-C sportscaster Bob Costas was also in Dyersville for the film’s anniversary celebration. He shared his favorite moments from “Field of Dreams” during Saturday’s news conference.

“Everybody remembers: ‘Dad, want to have a catch?’…and they remember James Earl Jones’ speech, but Burt Lancaster as ‘Moonlight Graham’ has a little speech of his own that he delivers to Kevin in his office now that he’s a doctor and you can see that whether it’s Baby Ruth or Shoeless Joe Jackson or somebody that played half an inning in the Big Leagues, they understand what the game can mean and what the beauty of the game and how it stays inside them, and then when he reappears here and revives…Annie and Ray’s daughter and then walks back across the field and when Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson says, ‘Hey you were good,’ he validates that he was a good ball player, even though he only played a handfull of moments in the Major Leagues,” Costas said. “I like that part.” The cast and crew took part in a celebrity softball game at the field Saturday, along with other celebrities, such as actors Colin Egglesfield and Joel Murray, actress Kristy Swanson, model Kim DeJesus and baseball greats Bret Saberhagen and Glendon Rusch. Rusch says it was an incredible experience.

“I’d never been to the Field of Dreams, so to come here and be a part of this with the cast, you know, it’s like a childhood dream, really,” Rusch says. “…It’s like being a little kid.” Thousands of fans filled the bleachers and sat along the entire perimeter of the field to watch the game, which included an appearance by the Ghostplayers. The Ghostplayers, all local guys who dress up as old White Sox ball players –just like the movie — played with Costner’s three kids as Costner and his wife watched and smiled. Denise Stillman, who now owns the “Field of Dreams” farm and movie site, says it was a special weekend for Costner.

“It’s been fantastic,” Stillman said. “Having Kevin here obviously ads a huge electricity to the event and I know the event means a lot to him because he’s had his family with him here this weekend. He’s got two little boys that are just absolutely adorable and they were having a catch yesterday and having that great, special time to really soak up and share this piece of his history with his family was special to watch.” Stillman says people from all over the world came to Dyersville for the anniversary celebration.

“People from Switzerland, people from other parts of Europe — I believe we have one family from somewhere in the Caribbean and we’ve got some folks from Asia, so it’s been truly an international event and it’s been a labor of love from the town (of Dyersville),” Stillman says. “We’ve had thousands of people supporting us and I think, literally, half of them working the event.” Doug May drove several hours from Woodburn, Iowa to come to the field. He was playing a game of catch with his son Saturday after watching the screening of the movie Friday night.

“I was surreal to be there, you know, you’re like: ‘Oh, we’re sitting right where they’re playing the game or right where that ghost is coming. We’re right there!'” May says. “It’s just surreal that you’re part of history.” Tim Horn came all the way from Arizona to share this Father’s Day weekend with his son.  “A good father-son bonding experience and we actually watched the movie for the first time this morning,” Horn said, and his son added: “It was pretty good.” Horn asked his son: “What was your favorite scene?” The younger Horn replied: “When he pitches the ball, but falls down, apparently.” The elder Horn followed up: “Did you like the ghosts coming out of the corn fields?” The boy replied: “Yes!” All twelve thousand of the free tickets for this weekend’s events were claimed.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa gambling regulators plan to consider whether it’s time to stop building more casinos in Iowa at a meeting next month after narrowly voting to approve one for Jefferson. The five-member Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Thursday on a 3-2 vote the $40 million casino in Jefferson. Two consulting firms have recommended no more casinos, and commission chairman Jeff Lamberti says that will be discussed at the July 31st meeting in Johnston.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A 21-year-old Des Moines woman has been crowned Miss Iowa and will represent the state in the Miss America pageant in September. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Alysa Lou Olson won the title Saturday and earned a $10,500 scholarship. Olson is majoring in vocal performance at the University of Iowa.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The city of Sioux Falls and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are working together to gather volunteers to cleanup a portion of the Big Six River. KELO-TV reports officials are seeking volunteers for the 12th annual A Watershed Awareness River Expedition project that will run from July 12th through the 19th. Interested volunteers must register by June 20th.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the drowning death of a 36-year-old Iowa City man. The Johnson County sheriff’s office says rescuers were called to Scales Point just before 5 p.m. Saturday. After searching for nearly four hours, authorities recovered the body of Somphaeng Syvixay of Iowa City.

Members of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During the meeting, the Board will receive updates from Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring, on: The Summer 2014 Recreation Program (Including a pool, swim team, tennis and slow pitch softball update); Capital Projects (Including the status of grading for the Senior Recreation Area, Renovation of the Camblin fire pit and/or shelter, and Kiddie Korral, as well as line painting on the basketball and pickle ball courts).

They’ll also receive an update on the Boy Scout cabin, various grants, and other matters. The Park and Rec Board meeting begins at 5;15-p.m., Monday.

At least four area school district Boards of Education will hold their regularly scheduled, monthly meetings Monday evening. The Griswold School Board meets at 5:45-p.m. in the Central Office Board Room, the CAM School Board will meet in the High School Media Center at 6:30-p.m., while the Audubon and Elk Horn Kimballton School Boards will meet at 7-p.m. at the High Schools in Audubon and Elk Horn, respectively.

The Griswold School Board will receive an update on various projects and take action on: Fuel and Tech Support bids; Snow removal, Bakery, Dairy, Vehicle, and Trash Specifications; on designating Level 1 & 2 Child Abuse Investigators, and on City Partnership Agreements. Their meeting will end with a closed session for an evaluation of Superintendent Dana Kunze.

The CAM School Board will discuss and/or act on: Open enrollment applications; an Administrative Assistant contract; The early retirement of Superintendent Steve Pelzer; Any resignations or other contracts to come before the Board; Counselor and Superintendent sharing agreements; Curriculum changes; a revision in a Board policy pertaining to graduation requirements, and legislative priorities. Their meeting will conclude after a closed session to evaluate the Superintendent.

In Audubon, the school Board will discuss and/or act on: an Elementary Project; upgrading the Elementary Camera System; a Notice of Surplus Property, and Personnel matters. They’re also expected to receive an update on various summer projects.

And in Elk Horn, the school Board will act on the resignations of: Business Teacher/Coach Kelly Juhl (who has accepted a position in the Atlantic School District); Junior High Volleyball Coach Heather Eischeid, and High School Band instructor Crystal Fischer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa gambling regulators plan to consider whether it’s time to stop building more casinos in Iowa at a meeting next month after narrowly voting to approve one for Jefferson. The five-member Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Thursday on a 3-2 vote the $40 million casino in Jefferson. It will be the 19th state-licensed casino. Iowa also has three American Indian casinos.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Presidential hopefuls Senator Rand Paul, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Senator Rick Santorum are in Iowa to deliver their prescriptions for how to unite the Republican Party. The three were the most notable figures to speak Saturday at the Iowa Republican State Convention in Des Moines.

DYERSVILLE, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa farm where the baseball film “Field of Dreams” was filmed is hosting a 25th anniversary celebration this weekend. Stars such as Kevin Costner and Timothy Busfield joined thousands of people from all over the Midwest at the remote locale Friday and Saturday. Costner, who played Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella in the film, says the movie remains a “high mark” in his acting career.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids is again participating in the Summer Food Service Program, offering free meals to children. Breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday through Friday at The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids from Monday through August 22nd. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals — one of them a former Iowa State student — accused of smuggling technology with military uses. The Des Moines Register reports it obtained federal documents Friday showing that the former student, 29-year-old Wentong Cai, and an associate, 28-year-old Bo Cai, were arrested in February.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of two individuals on theft charges Saturday (6/14).  At 1:06pm Officers arrested 48-year-old Bradley Dean Gary of Red Oak and 47-year-0ld Barbara Darlene Wilson of Red Oak at a residence in the 600 block of East Sunset Avenue in Red Oak.  Gary was charged with 4 counts of Theft in the 5th Degree and Wilson was charged with one count of Theft in the 5th Degree.  Both individuals were taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond each.

The Council Bluffs Police Department report a shooting took place on Saturday, June 14th in the parking lot of 37 Bluff Street in Council Bluffs.  At 3:11pm a vehicle driven by 16-year-old Justice Alstadt of Council Bluffs with two passengers aboard were leaving the parking lot when an unidentified male fired four shots with a hand gun at the vehicle.  One of the bullets struck Alstadt in the right abdomen and she was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition.

The investigation into the attempted murder is ongoing.

The National Weather Service in its mid-morning weather briefing, Saturday, said severe weather is still in the forecast for tonight across portions of Iowa. The primary threat in western Iowa appears to be from damaging winds in excess of 58-miles per hour. However, large hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible.The area is under a “Moderate risk” for severe weather.

Areas in red are under a “Moderate” risk of severe weather tonight, areas in yellow will experience a “Slight” risk for severe weather. (NWS graphic)

Keep in mind, that winds of 60-to 80-miles per hour can have the same effect as an EF-1 tornado, and tree debris may be difficult to see on the road at night.

If you are camping or have plans to do so, make sure you have a way to receive weather information and a safe place for emergency shelter, and if at home, keep your weather radio ready to go with fresh batteries.

w/ Chris Parks

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