Gilbert, Iowa  —  125th Anniversary in 2004
 

Report of the Second Meeting of the Gilbert 125 Group

7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Gilbert City Hall on Main Street

G125 Planning Process
Nine Gilbert residents and other community loyalists met on March 25 at city hall to plan Gilbert's 125th anniversary in 2004. It was the second planning session for the celebration. All nine people made a commitment to be part of the central committee for the reunion. (Note: the central committee is still in the process of formation, and other people are welcome to be part of it.)

We are tentatively thinking of holding the celebration during the last weekend of July or on one of the first two weekends in August. For sure we want to have the event during the heart of the sweet corn season. We are also thinking about the possibility of holding Gilbert's all-class school reunion the same weekend as the G125 celebration.

The next planning meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at the Gilbert City Hall. You are welcome to join us. During that meeting, the group will decide on an official weekend in 2004 for the G125 celebration. In the meantime:

• Cindy Wirth and Gwen Thompson will meet with other organizers of the all-class reunion and report back whether they are willing to move their event from 2005 to 2004 to coincide with the town's quasquicentennial.
• Mike Adams will meet with the city council on April 7 and report back regarding how the G125 committee can align with the city's organizational structure.
• Mike will also check with a local band to see if it would be willing to play for the celebration.
• Gary Selof and Joy Leister will pare down a brainstormed list of activities that Helen Gunderson will use in creating a flyer for use in promoting the quasquicentennial celebration.

Eventually, representatives of the G125 group will meet with various organizations, explaining the plans for the G125 event, handing out flyers, and recruiting more people to get involved in pulling off the celebration. For instance, an organization could pick one of the activities on the brainstormed list or suggest an alternative activity to sponsor for the celebration in 2004. If you are a leader of an organization, we encourage you to get in touch with the group to arrange for a G125 representative to come to one of your meetings.

Expanding Gilbert's City-Wide Garage Sale
The G125 group also talked about a short-term project of expanding Gilbert's city-wide garage sale on May 3, 2003. The group was enthusiastic about the idea of church or school groups, the alumni reunion organizers, and other people holding fund-raising events on that day.

• For instance, there could be a bake sale with hot coffee or a car wash.
• The group also noted that the Ames Farmers' Market opens that day as does the Shabby Bouchique and that it would be a great excuse to encourage people to head to Gilbert.
• Randy Thompson agreed to open the Open Flame during part of the day to serve burgers.
• Helen Gunderson may have a sale of her photography while a weaver friend sells rugs.
• It was announced that Randy Page, who is a new resident of Gilbert and a fireworks expert, will be holding a fireworks display at a farm north of Gilbert on the night of May 3 to celebrate his birthday. People who want to watch can bring lawn chairs to the soccer fields or find other viewing spots on the north edge of town.

The Gazette will continue to post information about the planning process for the G125 event in 2004 and the city-wide garage sale on May 3 of this year. If you would like to be involved in these events, please contact the Gazette or some of the people who have been at the planning meetings.

The Gazette will most likely also create a map of garage sale locations and provide a page where garage sale hosts can list significant sale items. Check back often to see what we have added, and if you have suggestions, please send them our way. Thanks.

Next G125 Meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Gilbert City Hall on Main Street

For Further Information: contact Helen Gunderson, a Gilbert resident and the Gilbert Gazette editor. You may also talk to the other people who attended one or both of the first two meetings: Mike Adams, Mary Dodds, Margo Enness, City Council Member Lynn Henn, Kurt Jensen, Mayor Bob Jaquis, Joy Leister, Gary Selof, Gwen Thompson, Randy Thompson, Cindy Wirth, and Greg Wirth.