PACKWOOD —
If you’re out for a leisurely drive in Jefferson County, you might want to head toward Packwood.
About one mile south of Packwood along County Road V-63, you’ll notice some signs with a clever little jingle:
“Speed was high ... temperatures hot ... tires were thin ... X marks the spot.”
The signs are part of Our Iowa magazine’s effort to bring back the old Burma Shave-like signs that gave drivers back in the day a little chuckle and something to read as they trekked across the country.
So the magazine solicited folks from all of Iowa’s 99 counties to do the same with signs provided by the magazine.
Members of the Fire House Coffee Club from Packwood thought County Road V-63 would be perfect for the signs in Jefferson County and after consideration by the magazine, the group was picked to place those signs along the county road near Packwood. They sent me a photo once they completed the work.
But Jefferson County isn’t alone.
In Keokuk County, there are signs along County Road V-45, north of Sigourney; in Monroe County, about three miles north of Albia, you’ll discover signs near the junction of Highway 5 and 170th Street; and in Van Buren County, the folks in Cantril are set to erect signs that will read: “Highways are ... no place to sleep ... stop your car ... to count your sheep,” about one-fourth of a mile northeast of Cantril on Gold Avenue.
Our Iowa magazine folks told me that the signs are pending near Moravia in Appanoose County, and that there are still available openings in Davis, Mahaska and Wapello counties.
Of course, the idea behind the original Burma Shave signs certainly was to advertise its product, and to that end, Our Iowa magazine isn’t hurting by doing the same.
But it remains a clever idea to bring attention to those rural communities that are our hometowns, and in the case of Packwood and the other communities, it also is a fun way to bring everyone together.
And that’s a sign of the times we can all appreciate.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Members of the Packwood Fire House Coffee Club recently erected Our Iowa magazine’s Burma Shave-like signage near Packwood. From left, Wayne Atwood, Fred Wells, Emory Neff, David Hollingsworth and Evan Chambers. Photo provided
The Road Less Traveled: Take a drive down memory lane
- Local News
-
-
Bridge work will close trails section
The closure of the trails between Black Lake and Mary Street is expected to remain in effect through November.
-
PHOTOS: Fire and Ice — Raising funds for smoke detectors
Cooper Chickering, 3, of Ottumwa, enjoys the “ice” part of the “Fire and Ice” event, while Ottumwa Master Firefighter Bill Keith shows a crowd the “fire” part of the fundraiser, which raises money to buy smoke detectors for Ottumwans who need them.
-
Ottumwa schools toughen Internet policy
This week, the Ottumwa school board adopted a new policy for Internet use in the district. The new policy fits with The Children’s Internet Protection Act, a federal regulation tied to government funding.
-
‘A peek behind the curtains:’ Weekend events gear community to check out trails, downtown
This weekend's events to benefit the trails and educate the community of what’s new and changing downtown include the annual Tips for Trails at the Tom Tom Tap and the mediathon to raise money for the Wapello County Trails Council.
-
Eisenhower bridge repair in the works
Insurance companies are still hammering out final reimbursements after a truck hauling a wide-load wind turbine struck the Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge in April 2011. The city also finalized severing ties with Centerplace and blasts the company's management of Bridge View Center.
-
Cremer takes command of Veterans Affairs office
The Wapello County Board of Supervisors has approved hiring Marty Cremer of Agency as the county’s new Veterans Affairs director. Dan Hoy, the outgoing director, told the board his last day will be Friday.
-
PHOTO: Rewarding field day at Wildwood
Students at Wildwood Elementary School reap the rewards of collecting Box Tops worth more than $2,000. The school had 12 activity stations Monday at its Field Day, where Wildwood alumni came back to help the kids have fun.
-
Ottumwa school district, teachers agree on contract
The Ottumwa school district approved the 2012-13 Master Contract for teachers on a unanimous vote.
-
IHCC eyes 2012-13 budget estimates
A potential state funding increase could add $800,000 in new money to the Indian Hills Community College's bank account next year. On the other hand, an estimated decrease in student population may reduce funds by about $800,000.
-
Gothic House Center has new outdoor exhibit area
Four outdoor panels will be available to visitors who stop by when the American Gothic House Center is closed. One panel features the history of the American Gothic House, and the others are about Grant Wood’s painting, his life and the impact of this painting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Bridge work will close trails section
