This Week in Pictures, April 5, 2023

A well-earned retirement
Last week, the employees of Viafield gathered to end their work week as they celebrated over six decades of working with a dedicated employee. Dick Gentz retired for the second time last Friday afternoon, after 62 years working for Viafield in Northwood. Viafield employees gathered to wish him well. Gentz was given a special jacket to remember his time on the job. An annual scholarship was also established in his name, to be awarded to a graduate later this year. And while he will no longer come to the job every day, he was told he would be welcomed to visit his co-workers any time he wanted, to show how he will enjoy his retirement.

Fun in the sunnish
Last week’s warmer weather, interspersed with the occasional storms and burst of snowfall, meant that there has been opportunity for students at Northwood-Kensett Elementary to return to the playground.

Wildlife Wednesday- Hawk-eyes
The Worth County Conservation Board has been sharing a look at North Iowa wildlife with Wildlife Wednesday posts, like this one of an impressive area resident raptor. “Did you know that Red-Tailed Hawks are one of Iowa’s most common hawk species? They live in Iowa year round and are commonly seen soaring through the air or perching on fence posts. Have you spotted any Red-Tailed Hawks recently?”

A place to retire flags
The American Legion post in Manly recently relocated its drop box for retired flags. According to the U.S. flag code, flags should not be thrown in the garbage or shredded, but disposed of in an official ceremony. Each year, on Flag Day, Legion members conduct a ceremony to dispose of flags that have been dropped off at their home in Manly. The drop box provides an easy way for people to ensure their tattered, worn and unusable flags will be disposed of properly.