Rochelle and Matt Maynard and their kids, Max and Emelia might live in Ticonic, but the kids' activities keep the family on the road, sometimes using their home as a sleep-over more than a place to live. Many families face this same issue, especially as activities near the finish line each year. The Maynards, with a boy in high school and a girl in upper elementary school, take to the roads in a variety of different interests and skill levels.
    Emilia, a fifth grader at Westwood Elementary School had her parents driving to AAU volleyball games on weekends. New to AAU volleyball, Emmy spent time in the back row passing to the front and time in the front row spiking it over to the opponent. She also was a server, getting the ball in motion. Her team had a great season and qualified for the state AAU volleyball tournament, a first for their team.
    "I was nervous," said Emmy of playing on the big stage, or rather, the big court.
    The team, after getting their seed in pool play, advanced in the silver bracket but lost to a tough team, ending their hopes of a championship trophy. Being just fifth graders, they have more years to avenge their loss.
    Max, a freshman this year at Westwood, competed in archery for the third year but the first as a high schooler. For the second consecutive year, he qualified for the state competition, this year continuing in both 3D and Bullseye. How did he do at State?
    "I had a PR (personal record) in 3D, and I shot average in bullseye," he said.
    Max had a little more of a challenge than his teammates and most of his opponents. An injury put his wrist in a cast for the end of the regular archery season. Just two days before the state tournament, Max was freed from the cast. Despite now having to adjust to compete without the extra weight of the cast, Max felt that the experience from attending State last year helped make the competition seem easier this year.
    While the end of the state competition did end the season for many archers, Max and his team needed to continue practicing and perfecting his skills. Both his 3D (his favorite of the two competitions) and his Bullseye teams qualified for the national competition. They attended the national competition in Sandy, Utah, late in April. There, he shot 222 in 3D to rank 310th out of 342 fellow high school archers. He shot 239 in Bullseye, ranking 391st out of 447 competitors.
    Congratulations to both Maynard children for successful seasons.
    Photo supplied by Rochelle Maynard. Thank you, Rochelle!

    Connections Area Agency on Aging will be presenting a program, Get to Know Your Smartphone at Cord Memorial Library in Danbury on Wednesday, May 13th at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and learn the basics on smartphone use.

    Danbury Catholic School's plant pickup is Friday, May 8th from 7:00 a.m. to noon and 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Catholic School gym.
    Didn't order plants but want some? Extra plants will be available to sale at both locations.

    Fair time is approaching, and it is time to enter the 2026 Monona County Fair Queen and Little Princess contests! If you are interested in representing Monona County, then come join the fun. Both contests will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 at the Beef ‘n Brew Restaurant in Mapleton. (Queen: morning; Little Princess: afternoon). The coronation of the 2026 Fair Queen and Little Princess will take place during the Monona County Fair Opening Ceremony at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7th.
    Queen contestants must be at least 16 years of age and not more than 21 years of age on August 13, 2026. Queen entrants must be residents of Monona County or an adjoining county AND attend a school having all or part of its district in Monona County AND the majority of her activities are in Monona County. The winner of the Monona County Fair Queen Contest will compete in the Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant on August 11-15, 2026 in Des Moines.
    A Little Princess (LP) contestant MUST be 6 years old by July 7, 2026 & no more than 8 years old on Aug. 31, 2026. A LP contestant MUST have completed first grade, reside in Monona County OR attend school in Monona County. Any LP contestant who has NOT been a finalist in a previous Monona County Little Princess contest may re-enter provided they meet all other requirements (age/grade).
    Each contestant is to submit a completed entry form, including a wallet size head and shoulders photograph of herself, RECEIVED by the respective contest chair no later than Monday, June 22, 2026.
    For both contests: contestants and parents are responsible for reading the complete set of rules posted on the fair website: www.mononacountyfair.com . After reading through the rules, if you have ANY questions, please feel free to contact: Monona County Fair Queen Chair Sharyl Bruning at or Monona County Fair Little Princess Chair Mackenna Chapman at 712-420-9754.

    The change of the calendar to May also puts added color onto the statue of the Virgin Mary at Danbury Catholic School. A tradition in many Catholic churches and schools, the statue of Mary is crowned as a symbol of honor for the mother of all mothers. The school spent some time on May Day crowning the statue that stands in Mary's Garden outside the school. This year Annika Doty, daughter of Megan and Jeremy Doty placed the crown of flowers on Mary's head with Emily Flammang, daughter of Tiffany and Eric Flammang handing her the crown. A rosary which spanned the length of the school from the front sidewalk nearly to the bike rack was then used to say the Rosary as a school. Some of the parishioners who had attended the Friday morning Mass joined in on this chilly, sunny day.
    To the left, Annika Doty places the crown of flowers onto Mary's head.
    Below (left to right), Johnathon Wessling, Charlotte Gagnon, Skyla Seuntjens, Christopher Scofield, Taytum Schmdit, Beau Flanigan, Hannah Gagnon, Eloise Elgers, and Olivia DeVries stand at the giant rosary and watch for their turn to say their half of a Hail Mary.