Here is a quick update on some, but not all, of the noteworthy projects coming to a close:

It was sure a “rip rap” year. We had three large jobs that came from Mt. Carroll, IL, the quarry known as Shaffton near Clinton, and Moscow, our quarry near Muscatine, IA. Thanks again to those who worked on and contributed to these projects. This type of late season work really helps our company out. We had a very slow start this year due to weather.

Also, something interesting, is “Oats” Trenkamp just finished a rock-cut job, that was on the north side of Dubuque. Very cool!!

A new face you may see when you come to beautiful Eastern Iowa is Tom Sturms. Tom will be replacing Don Jackson, area Sales Manager based out of the Moscow quarry, who is retiring after 38 years in this industry. Let me correct myself . . . one can never replace Don Jackson.

I’d like to say a few words about Don. He stuck with me through a lot of transition and I thank him for that. He wisely advised others to give us a try, and they listened. Thanks again. Don always tries to find the best in a person. I try to use this trait in my everyday life. I will miss our talks and will still look to him as a father figure for many years. I’ll bet Don’s warm smile will be hanging around for a while. THANKS AGAIN DON AND CONGRATULATIONS. So, Good Luck to Tom as he will have some “big shoes” to fill.

The crews ran well this past season and crushed a lot of rock. The shops were fairly busy and kept all the wheels turning. We have had the best year ever in sand production, so hats off to the guys from our Quarry Development Department to Safety, from Prospect Drilling to our Asphalt Plant, from Ready Mix to the Dirt Crew, from Quality Control guys to the guys who move it all. Let’s not forget the Office Group.

Lots of effort goes into making this whole company run smoothly. Our drilling group had some growth with the addition of a third drill. This adds to our versatility and has allowed us to help out one or more of our sister companies. Brad Wendell is responsible for our production drills and is also working closely with our contract blasting companies.

There is one company that has gone through a large amount of change that I would like to talk about. That Company is ILLOWA. There was a change with the General Manager just as the season got started.

Randy Soedt stepped in and took the job of heading this company. WHAT A TASK! We have new faces leading the paving crew and in the office. A couple of things that are noteworthy are Jake, Billy, Karen and Wendell. (I know there are more at Illowa but my writing space is limited).

Billy is the new paving crew leader, Nice Job Billy! Jake Boyer, Jake made a commitment to our company at the beginning of this season and not everything has gone according to plan, in fact most things have not gone as planned. So thanks Jake for hanging in there and getting the jobs done and believing in Brad and myself.

Karen and Wendell from the Wendling office “willingly” said they would help keep the office up and running as we were also faced with finding a new office manager. It turned into so much more. A lot of additional work loads, traveling back and forth, plus trying to keep up with their own responsibilities really added to the pressure for these two and the whole office at Wendling Quarries.

Thanks to all who had to “Buck up”. The new office manager at Illowa is Kim Campbell and we welcome her. The whole company has a new look and I think very shortly we will see a lot of good things from this already great group of people.

There is a lot to be thankful for. I hope most of you who are reading this feel the same way. I personally had a change that happened to me after September 11^th. One of the things that happened to me was a new appreciation for the privilege to live in the United States of America. We are so lucky to have the rights that we do, especially when you see how people are forced to live in other countries. I have been trying to look at people I know and work with very differently, hopefully with more patience and understanding.

I would like to thank those who are fighting for our freedom, past, present and future.

The sales staff and I will be working hard to find work for next year.

It is my wish for a Happy Holiday Season for all of the Manatt and Wendling families!

Thank you all for your contributions to this past season.