JEFFERSON, Iowa, June 27, 2023 — The Greene County Historical Society will sponsor four chat sessions about county history on Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15, at the County Fair. All four discussions will take place in the Fairgrounds History Building,
Friday sessions:
11 a.m.—Rippey Baseball
1 p.m.—Country Schools
Saturday sessions:
11 a.m.—Evolution of Farming
1 p.m.—Fairgrounds Race Track
Jed Magee of Jefferson, who will manage the chats, says he hopes for lots of audience participation. “The chats are always a lot of fun,” Magee adds. “And, the History Building is a good place to sit down and cool off.”
Baseball chat leaders will be Mary Weaver and Nancy Hanaman of Rippey. Former players on Rippey and East Greene High School teams, as well as former members of the Rippey Demons (or Merchants) town team, also will be on hand. A representative of the Rippey Baseball Commission, which manages the town’s recently renovated ball field, will give an update on the new diamond. Prizes will be awarded to audience members wearing their team ball caps.
Weaver also will lead the Country School discussion, with Jefferson residents Virginia Carlson, Mike Piepel and Mike Minnehan, who all attended country school, joining in. Paton resident Becki Cunningham, who is the “marm” at the country school house at the Fairgrounds also will be present.
Farm Evolution discussion leaders will be farmers Roger Custer and Jerry Fields of Jefferson and Chuck Derry of Rippey.
Race Track panelists will be Gary Haupert, Ed Calvert and Frank Kozal, all of Jefferson.
Fairgoers can tour the large history site, which includes a country school house and a display of antique farm machinery and other ag artifacts, as well as a log cabin.
