Preface

The good people of Ira were determined that the Centennial of their town should be observed. So committees co-chaired by Connie Wright and Lee Anne Shaffer started the ball rolling for an observance on July 4, 1983.

Although Ira is a small town, over the years there has always been someone, or a group of people, willing to take the lead in meeting the needs of the community. This has required the help of others. The town and the community have beep one and the same and cooperation has prevailed.

A town is more than places of business with homes scattered around. It consists of schools, churches, fraternal orders, the Grange, athletic groups and clubs of various types to help meet the interests and needs of the people both adults and children.

The Centennial Committee has been active. Events were planned & publicity activated. The IRA STAR is part of that publicity. It contains history and plans for the future and pictures of the children of the town - those who will make the future. It also contains information about events planned for the centennial observance.

Since I had edited and published a History of Ira in 1976 - the bi-centennial year of our nation -I was asked to edit and publish a supplement to that history, bringing it up to date. The result is more than a history supplement.

My thanks to the Centennial Committee for their help in preparing the material for this publication and the selling and mailing of it. May our errors and omissions be forgiven.

The Centennial Committee wish to say a sincere "THANK YOU" to all who have helped to make the Ira Centennial Observance a success.

Donald A. Price, Editor, 1921 East 13th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50316.

Published for and by the Ira Centennial Committee for the July 4, 1983 Centennial Celebration at Ira (Jasper County) Iowa, U.S.A.

Ira Plans July 4th Centennial Celebration

Long time residents elected "King" and "Queen" for Ira Centennial Celebration Mr. Ross Beardmore and Mrs. Neva Warner were unanimously elected by the Centennial Committee to be honored as our King and Queen for the Ira Centennial Celebration. Ross and Neva are not the oldest residents, but they do have the distinction of having lived in Ira for the greatest number of years. Ross was born on February 1, 1901 and he came to Ira in 1933. Neva was born on January 25, 1902 and she came to Ira in 1927. (Continued on page nine)

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