RIO Press Release
| For Immediate Release | Media Contact : |
| May 12, 2009 |
Media Contacts: Juli Probasco-Sowers |
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
PARKERSBURG, NEW HARTFORD MARK ONE-YEAR DISASTER COMMEMORATIONS
(DES MOINES) — Over Memorial Day weekend, the communities of Parkersburg and New Hartford will mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating tornado that struck both communities on May 25, 2008.
Every Monday, the Rebuild Iowa Office will release a media advisory listing commemoration dates and events planned by local residents statewide. The Monday advisory will only list those events planned for the two weeks following its release. Commemoration events in disaster-affected areas will occur well into June, with some taking place later in the summer.
The Rebuild Iowa Office, along with representatives of state and federal agencies, will attend many of the events to support Iowans and communities recovering from the devastating tornadoes and floods. Officials will be available to answer questions about disaster recovery programs and Iowa’s rebuilding progress.
Today’s media advisory highlights some of the events in both Parkersburg and New Hartford.
Parkersburg - May 23-25, 2009
Parkersburg’s event, called “Renewal with Remembrance,” will take place May 23-25 with activities all three days. For entire listing of event details, visit the city’s website at www.parkersburgiowa.info.
On May 23, the Lions Club will hold an EF 5K Walk/Run. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The run’s route will make its way through Parkersburg to see the progress made since the tornado struck the community. Later that day, an Ice Cream Social will take place in front of Truax Insurance from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will wrap up with a Street Dance with all proceeds going toward a Community Memorial Site for the people who lost their lives in the tornado.
On May 24, a community picnic will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Miracle Park. At 3:30 p.m., Lt. General Ron Dardis, executive director of the Rebuild Iowa Office, will deliver comments during a playground dedication. Local fundraising efforts and donations, as well as volunteers helped build the playground. Musical entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. after the dedication.
The following morning, May 25, the American Legion will hold a breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon at the Veterans Building. A community barbeque will take place from noon to 3 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., people are encouraged to gather at the Elementary School (practice field) to join together to remember those who lost their lives on May 25, 2008.
New Hartford - May 25, 2009
New Hartford will hold its commemoration ceremony on May 25. The day’s activities begin at 9:45 a.m. when a re-dedication ceremony is held at Oak Hill Cemetery. The May 25, 2008, tornado took out all the trees in the cemetery, damaged more than 400 monuments and took down the flag pole and cemetery gates. Since then, much of the damage has been repaired.
Community members will also plant two trees in memory of two rural residents killed in the tornado at 11:30 a.m. at Packwaukee Park in New Hartford. A community picnic follows the ceremony. People should bring their own side dish, table service and beverages.
New Hartford suffered a second disaster, one week after the tornado, when major flooding hit the town and more than 600 residents had to be evacuated. Many homes were damaged in both the tornado and flood waters and the community continues to rebuild.
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