8 - Historic Lidtke Mill

Written by Shannon Thursday, 09 July 2009 20:49

The Lidtke Mill is the eighth "Wonder of Lime Springs." There were two mills that burned down. Now, this is the third mill they have.
The kids back then had very few toys. They had to shut off all the lights between Lime Springs and Chester at 11:00 p.m.

The Mill is 152 years old. The real Lime Springs used to be out at the Lidtke Mill. Now, they call it Old Town. There were 150 homes, only one of them is still standing.

In the house that's still standing, it has a high-chair that folds into a stroller. They have a fainting couch in the parlor. The girls had dolls they would play with. The girls also had tea sets they would play with, too.

The house is 100 years old. There are rugs still there made from wool clothing. Everything is still there, just like when he shut the doors.

A man got electrocuted and lost two toes and two fingers during a bad storm. The turbine ran the towns of Lime Springs and Chester in 1960.

The number one reason I chose the Lidtke Mill is because my two aunts were born in the house. You should visit Lidtke Mill because it is interesting and has a great heritage. Not every small town has a great mill like this.

6 - Sweet Corn Days Celebration

Written by Autumn & Hailey Thursday, 09 July 2009 20:49

Sweet Corn Days is the sixth "Wonder of Lime Springs." It all got started back in 1982 when the townspeople wanted new street signs. They needed a fund-raiser for the signs. The second weekend in August is when Sweet Corn Days was born!

At first, it was called Flea Market Day. In the 1980s, it was decided that it should be a two-day event. Giving away free sweet corn and watermelon was a great idea to get people to come.

Now it has grown into a busy weekend of fun. There is a street dance, omelet breakfast, flea market, softball tournament, talent show, car show, tractor pull and, of course, a big parade. Events are always being changed and added.

Interesting history facts about Sweet Corn Days are exciting as well as scary. Once, a water balloon was throw in front of a horse. It spooked the horse and the horse ran into the crowd. In 2000, a fire broke out in the hardware store and it burned to the ground.

Sweet Corn Days has never really been rained out. Three years ago, it was estimated that over 6,000 people attended the event.

The one interesting thing about Sweet Corn Days is the giant corn cob that is made out of milk jugs. The corn cob got its start in 1993. It is the trademark or symbol of the weekend of fun in Lime Springs. It is being repaired for the celebration this summer.

Come and join the fun this summer in August.

7 - LS Children's Theatre Troupe

Written by Darian Thursday, 09 July 2009 20:49

The Lime Springs Children's Theatre Troupe is the seventh Wonder of Lime Springs.

Play director Annette Rubin has 20 years of experience doing theater. About three years ago, she put on a play to raise money for the library to help super-size it.

Annette had to raise at least $1,300. After the play, someone walked up to her and said, "When is the next play??" Annette said, "This is just a fund-raiser."

This is when her imagination went to work. Annette got parents and community members involved. Annette has to find a script that fits the space to put the play on and works for the kids. She reads approximately 20-25 plays a year.

Thea Hartzell is the sound producer. She told Annette she wanted to be in the theatre troupe, but not on stage.

Annette has to buy books and scripts off the internet and keep track of the props, costumes, money and supplies.

Tech week is when they have to practice with the props, scenery, make-up, costumes and no scripts. The reason we have tech week is because the actors have to get used to everything.

People come from Cresco, Rochester, LeRoy and all over the area.

Not every small town in Iowa has a theatre troupe like this. It has been a "wonder"ful addition to the Lime Springs Community.

5 - LS Municipal Swimming Pool

Written by Raymond & Zeke Thursday, 09 July 2009 20:42

The fifth "Wonder of Lime Springs" is the swimming pool. It is different because the pool is slanted. Like other pools, it has a deep area and a shallow area. Lime Springs is a small town, but we are lucky to have a big pool.

The pool opened on June 21, 1955 and cost $20,000 to build. Building this pool was a community project. It holds 250,000 gallons of water. When the pool was first opened the average attendance was about 16,000 people a year. Kids from all around the area took swimming lessons here. Now it has about 50-60 swimmers a day. The pool has 10-12 lifeguards per year.

In the early 1960s, there was a drive-in near the pool. It served ice cream, root bear and burgers. We both think that would be a great idea to have one started up again.

The Lime Springs Pool is 54 years old. They are planning to open this year after Memorial Day. To get the pool ready for swimmers, they have to use special paint and make sure everything is safe.

The deep end is divided from the shallow end by buoys. It takes one day to fill the pool with water.

This is a wonder of Lime Springs because it is the smallest town in Iowa that has a municipal pool. We are so lucky.