Pg 2
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington
May 13, 1975
TO THE CITIZENS OF MECHANICSVILLE, IOWA
It is a pleasure to join with you as you celebrate your one hundred and twentieth anniversary. This is an occasion of deep pride for you as well as for your fellow Americans, and I send you my heartiest congratulations.
The first settlers to Mechanicsville brought with them tremendous enthusiasm, determination and cooperation, along with an abiding faith in God and in themselves. Your birthday provides an opportunity for a rededication to those values and ideals that have kept our nation strong. I know you can be counted on to take the best of your past—and build on it in a way that will reflect the vitality and spirit of your people.
As we approach our Nation’s bicentennial your efforts are especially needed. This great republic is nearly two hundred years old, but in many ways we are just getting started. Working together, united in spirit and sharing the ideas of freedom, dignity, and opportunity, we can lay the cornerstone of America’s third century and ensure a brighter future for every American.
Gerald R. Ford
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Pg 3
Dick Clark
Iowa | UNITED STATES SENATE
Washington, D.C. 20510 | Communities:
Agriculture
Public Works
Select Committee
On Small Business |
Hugh Lamont
Mechanicsville, Iowa 52306
Dear Hugh:
It is a pleasure to extend my warm regards to the community of Mechanicsville, Iowa, on the occasion of your centennial year – 1975.
This occasion provides a unique opportunity to members of your community – an opportunity to become more aware that you have a past to remember, a significant birthday to observe, and a future to mold. It is a special time for you to reflect with pride upon your community, with its progressive spirit and friendly atmosphere.
The community of Mechanicsville has much to offer residents and visitors alike. I sincerely hope that this warmth and community spirit will prevail for many years to come.
To the people of Mechanicsville, I extend my sincere wishes that this celebration may be an enjoyable and memorable one.
I hope to be able to visit you soon. .
Sincerely,
Dick Clark.
U.S.S.
DC/sw
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Pg 4
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
April 23, 1975
Hugh Lamont, Chairman
Rip Van Winkle Centennial Comm.
Mechanicsville, Iowa 52306
Dear Hugh:
I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the citizens of Mechanicsville my sincere best wishes on the occasion of the Rip Van Winkle Centennial.
It was indeed a pleasure to learn of this memorable festival and I know of the impressive growth and development your town has made as a rural Iowa community, as well as its contributions to the state of Iowa throughout the past century.
I commend all of you on a rich and vibrant community spirit and tradition, and for all your time and effort in making this celebration a reality. I hope to be able to join all of you at that time.
Sincerely,
John C. Culver
JCC:tf
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Pg 5
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
TO THE CITIZENS OF MECHANICSVILLE:
I am pleased to offer my congratulations on the observance of the Mechanicsville Rip Van Winkle Centennial.
It has been wisely said that a society ignorant of its own past is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. It is equally true that knowledge of the heritage which has been transmitted to us from the past provides us with strength and inspiration to meet the challenges of our own time, just as our forebears came to grips with the different—but no less formidable—problems by which they were confronted.
Therefore, all efforts to increase our understanding of the past—and to put the past to work for the improvement of the present and future—deserve encouragement.
I particularly welcome every effort to bring Iowa’s colorful, vigorous history alive for the Iowans of today and for those who visit us from elsewhere. It is a dramatic story which is forever revealing new dimensions and providing fresh illumination of present-day Iowa living.
As we enter a final generation of a waning century, we increasingly prize the partnership of land and people which has made Iowa such a good place in which to live. By the same token, we know that continued change will be necessary in the future to preserve the fundamentals of the way of life we prize.
Through deeper understanding of the past, we all shall be better able to take stock of where we are as Iowans and to chart a rewarding course for the ten years—the thirty years—that stretch ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Ray
Governor
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Pg 6
Town of Mechanicsville
Mechanicsville, Iowa
Office of Mayor
May 14, 1985
Open letter:
Approximately one hundred twenty years ago a group of enterprising people settled this area that is now the City of Mechanicsville.
Since then there have been many changes. Many of which are direct from our founding fathers and their descendants.
Mechanicsville has become an active and thriving community. Thanks to the people of the area who have worked together.
Over the years many things change but one thing that has always been outstanding is the great community spirit. Our people have shown in the past what their efforts bring. Let us now work for the future of Mechanicsville and the people that follow us in the years to come.
I want to thank the people of Mechanicsville who have made my term as Mayor of the city a pleasant and knowledgeable one. Also I wish to thank and Congratulate all the people who have worked so very hard to make this Centennial a huge success.
To the people of Mechanicsville and surrounding area, the years ahead can be nothing but good for all.
Thomas Railsback
Mayor
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Pg 7
Hugh “Jerry” Lamont
Kathryn Lamont
Co-Chairpersons
Janet Ford
Secretary
Marilyn Skow
Treasurer
As the time for our celebration grows closer, I would like to express my appreciation to the many people who are contributing so much of their time and resources to make the RIP VAN WINKLE CENTENNIAL a success.
My primary reason for personal involvement in the centennial was because I felt our community deserved to celebrate the growth and unity we have experienced in the past few years. It is also a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the recent past.
Our greatest resource is in our people. There are many new families joining those who have, throughout the years, made this town what it is today. A new housing addition is under construction. There are quite a few new and remodeled homes in which many people have contributed to the community.
Work by the Mechanicsville Development Corporation promises new industry and employment. A recent $30,000 grant by the Iowa Development Commission will facilitate this goal.
The Pioneer Medical Center, staffed by the highly skilled Family Practice Residents of the Cedar Rapids Hospitals, represents a highlighted example of our residents and neighbors working together.
The Pioneer Terraces, now being lived in, and additions soon to be constructed provide comfort and security for our Senior Citizens.
A recently approved $600,000 Health Care Facility will enable families to have their loved ones closer and receive the finest care. Privately financed, the stumbling block many towns face of a fund drive was eliminated.
Community involvement between all ages and people has gained much momentum and been the decisive factor in our recent accomplishments. The outlook for the future is indeed bright. People in urban areas relish moving to a small community so long as that community can provide the necessary services, and maintain the tranquility and quality of life we enjoy here in Mechanicsville.
I am proud to be a small part of this great community.
Straight ahead.
Hugh “Jerry” Lamont
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
