Carroll Broadcasting Company
The Refresh Manning Trust was able to increase their 2018 grant awards, thanks in large part to a very generous $10,000 donation of stock. This allowed Refresh Manning to use the $5,350 to fully support four grant requests and partially fund another. The Manning Public Library received $215 for the purchase of four new headsets for use with their public computers. The Manning Child Care Center is working to fund the replacement of pea gravel on their playground with safe surface, rubberized tiles. The trust has awarded $300 to help with those fundraising efforts. The Manning Rec Center has seen extensive use of their volleyball equipment, and much of it is in need of replacement. They have received $1,000 to go toward the purchase of new nets and poles. The ice machine at the Hausbarn Konferenz Centre is now around 20 years old and failing, but will be replaced with a generous $1,837 grant. And the newly built Trestle Park shelter house is scheduled to open in spring of 2019, and will be able to house around 160 people. The large kitchen will be equipped with a variety of appliances, and a $2,000 award will help them with the purchases of a refrigerator/freezer and microwave. Previous grant recipients include the Historic Preservation Commission, the IKM-Manning Community School District and the Manning youth wrestling team. All donations to the Refresh Manning Trust are eligible for up to a 25 percent credit on state taxes. For more information, contact the Main Street Manning Office at 712-655-6246.

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The location of Manning’s newest recreational area includes the view of a sprawling, concrete and steel train trestle bridge that has been removed from use for years. The structure could soon be added to the National Register of Historic Places, thanks in large part to a grant announced Tuesday by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The Manning Historic Preservation Commission has been awarded $5,750 for the nomination, which could establish the trestle for its historic role in the county’s railroad system. The award was one of nine projects from eight counties totaling more than $96,000 through the Certified Local Government program for historic preservation.

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It is budget time for county and city government and many of those who receive funds from Carroll County to support their non-profit efforts are coming before the board of supervisors to discuss needs for Fiscal Year 2020. Michelle Starman, director of the Manning Child Care Center, says they continue to operate at capacity and have identified a major goal for the next year that will reap benefits for many more years to come.
The child care center has now been in operation for 16 years, and Starman says they are seeing some of the original equipment in need of attention or replacement. They have been working hard to keep up with the costs associated with those issues. Another goal is to convert the current pea-gravel playground surface to a rubberized one. Starman says they are also brainstorming ideas for opportunities to provide different types of child care for the growing community.
Over the past year, they were able to pay off a loan to the city of Manning, making the last payment of $50,000 and having an additional $25,000 forgiven. Starman reports with the birth of about 15 new babies from just one large local employer, they have hired three new full-time staff members to cover the need. They are also looking forward to being able to continue to offer their services to Carroll, Audubon, Crawford and Shelby County residents. About 80 percent of the families are from Carroll County with the next largest segment from Crawford. Audubon and Shelby represent a small percentage. Starman says they are requesting the same amount as last year, $15,000. Typically, they receive around $8,500 from Carroll County. The money is generally set aside for equipment repairs or replacement. This year, some could also be used for playground updates and employee retention. No decision was made and the final amount will be decided as the budgeting process continues.
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You can “reap the rewards” of hometown holiday shopping with their holiday reward card promotion. Through Dec. 21, shoppers will have their cards stamped at local retailers. The more purchases you make, the more rewards that are available. When the card is full, you simply sign it and drop it in the box at The Market Place. Winners of 12 $100 Chamber Bucks’ prizes are drawn on each Saturday in December at 10 a.m. Drawing locations will change each week. To keep track, simply follow the Manning Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or log on to www.manningia.com

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Cozy up for a good movie, some great snacks and a visit from Santa Claus next Saturday in Manning. The CYO invites everyone to put on their pajamas and join them at the Manning Rec Center at 6:30 p.m. for a viewing of “The Polar Express.” Santa will join the crowd after the movie. Cost to participate is $5 per person, and includes the movie, popcorn, hot chocolate and complimentary face painting.