Flower Shops Grinnell IA

Grinnell IA Press

Hawkeye fans help build Rose Parade floats

Friday’s 127th Rose Parade has to wear a red jacket per company protocol. “But I have my Iowa shirt right under it,” said Cynthia Sherman, 68, of Grinnell, one of two Iowans working for Fiesta at this year’s Rose Parade, which will precede the University of Iowa’s first appearance at the Rose Bowl in a quarter century. Sherman owns Bates Flowers by DZyne in Grinnell and has traveled to California to work for Fiesta during the Rose Parade for six years. But she’s been in it for the flowers, not the football. Until this year. “We haven’t gone to the game before, but we are this year,” Sherman told The Gazette. “We were so excited Iowa was going to be here.” Although Sherman and Iowa City Hy-Vee employee Laurel Hollopeter, 55, of Victor, are the only Iowa residents working for Fiesta — among the largest builders of floats for the parade — others with Iowa ties have their hands involved in the intricate and elaborate floral arrangements on some of the 40-plus parade floats. And, Sherman said, they all stand out this year. “Everyone is noticing the Iowa people,” she said. This is the eighth year Hollopeter has headed west to help prepare floats for the parade, but this will be just his second game. And he bought the tickets months ago on a hunch. “When we purchased our tickets back in Septembe... http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/hawkeye-fans-help-build-rose-parade-floats-20151230

John McClenon, Dana Professor of Chemistry emeritus, dies

Sacon and husband, Neal; and five grandchildren, Ryan, Myles and Molly Ann McClenon-Grant, and Walker and Lilly Etta Sacon. Born and raised in Grinnell, Iowa, McClenon graduated from Grinnell College and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was named Sweet Briar’s Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry in 1982. An obituary in the Dec. 30, 2015, issue of the News & Advance notes his love of teaching and Sweet Briar, as well as the importance of music in his life. A classical and jazz musician, he was involved in numerous local and regional symphonies, in addition to his own 15-piece Johnny McClenon Big Band, according to the obituary. Sweet Briar students also recall his enthusiasm for the arts, even at the occasional expense of his own discipline. “Such a Reniassance man!” Vida Henry Fonseca ’84 wrote in an online condolence. “I will never forget his mock remonstrance with me for coming to Chemistry for the Liberal Arts lab when there was a master dance class in Baroque dance going on across the street — one of my dearest Sweet Briar memories!” The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at the First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg. A celebration of his life will follow at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Boothby officiating. A reception will follow. An additional remembrance will be held at Sweet Briar during Reunion Weekend, June 3-5, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College, the Lynchburg Symphony or a charity of your choice. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit ... http://sbc.edu/news/chemistry/john-mcclenon-dana-professor-chemistry-emeritus-dies/