The Melrose Fire Department received an $80,000 grant from FEMA/FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANGAGEMENT AGENCY this year to purchase a new brush truck. The Fire Department’s share of the cost was $4000 and this portion of the money came from donations received during their annual July celebrations. Melrose is very grateful for all who have helped and supported the Fire Department. 

The new Ford F350 Super Duty chassis was purchased from Albia Ford Motor. The truck was taken to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where equipment was built and installed. Some of the equipment includes: a 250 gallon water tank, a ten gallon Class A foam tank, pump, hoses and hose reel, foam attachments, two booster hose lines and nozzles, and a remote control operated spray gun. 

The spray gun is mounted on the front of the truck to assist with grass fires. It can be operated from the inside of the truck using a joystick controller. There are 3 storage compartments for equipment. The truck has several advanced safety features. 

The Melrose Volunteer Fire Department now has two pumper trucks and three brush trucks available.

Presently there are eighteen members serving on the Melrose Volunteer Fire Department. Members include: Pat Rush (Chief-FF-1), Mike Feehan (Assistant Chief-FF-1), Kerry Severa (Assistant Chief NC-FF-11), Richard Payne (Captain NC-FF-1), John Catron (Captain-NC-FF-1), JoBeth Lawless (EMS Officer/Treasurer NC-FF-1/EMT/RN), Mandy Means (Secretary/Safety NC-FF-11/EMT), Denny Flattery (FF-1), Justen Murphy (FF-1), Steve Carter (FF-1), Cali Feehan (EMT/ RN), Aaron McGee, Lee McFall (EMT) and JT Lacey. (NC stands for Nationally Certified-FF for Firefighter) 

The Fire Department plans to start a JR firefighter program for persons at least 16 years of age. 

Please visit the “Melrose Fire Department” facebook page and the Melrose web site “Photo” section  for more pictures & updates.  (Article contributed by Mandy Means)

The Melrose area residents APPRECIATE our Volunteer Fire Department~!!!!!!

Evelyn Tierney has written a great article published in the Albia paper this week-Oct 23-complete with a front page colored photo of Leo & his wonderful new tribute -monument on Melrose Mainstreet honoring the 1937 Melrose Basketball Champions.

In her article she explains that  Leo reports-the monument sits on a concrete base of 48 x 72 inches & is made of tan blocks. On the front side, 2 plaques will be placed-one listing the names of the team members & coach & one explaining the fact that the Melrose team was voted the best high school team in the first 100 years of boys Iowa basketball.

On the backside-will be a plaque naming the volunteers who helped.

Three tons of sand & 300 pounds of concrete were required for the monument. The basketball which sits atop the structure is made of 21 pounds of steel. It is 38 inches in diameter & Dave Utterson painted it with Leo adding the black lines to the ball. 

Thanks Evelyn for sharing your wonderful writing talent…& thanks Leo & all who helped with this great project~!!

Don’t forget to check the photos of this project by going back to our ‘HOME PAGE” and clicking on “PHOTO ALBUM”……………………God Bless

A very special project is underway on Melrose Mainstreet…..headed up by Melrose Chief Leprachaun LEO WARD…………check back often to see the story & pictures of this wonderful project~!!!  Meanwhile, check out the work in progress as you visit Mainstreet …and see if you can guess what’s happening…..~!!

 The ninth annual Melrose Open Golf tournament was a grand success. The weather was perfect for a day of golfing on the green rolling hills of the Countryside Golf Club in Norwalk –that some say remind them of Ireland.

One hundred plus golfers participated and non-golfers joined in on the fun of sharing Blarney with the Irish. 

We had REPEAT winners this year. CONGATULATIONS go  to Kevin & Travis Zaputil, George Wilson, D.Stewart-winners of the 2012 Melrose Open.

Profits go to Melrose Betterment for worthy community projects-particularly the Mainstreet Bank Building renovation.  We are proud to announce a BRAND NEW ROOF was installed this very week-& more work is scheduled for this fall & winter. We’ll post pictures as project continues.

The money raised from this years Melrose Open will be posted when it’s completed and we’re excited that projected profits are looking very IRISH GREEN.

It was a successful and fun day indeed and plans are now underway for next year’s TENTH Annual Melrose Open Golf Tournament which will be held the last Friday of the Iowa State Fair each year. We are looking for YOUR ideas as to how to make this tenth year anniversary SPECIAL? Please let us know your suggestions & ideas.

We will be posting pictures of this year’s Melrose Open on this web site “Photo” section later this week.

Melrose Betterment wishes to sincerely thank each and everyone who supported, contributed to and attended the Fifth Annual Melrose Golf Open and made it a huge success.

Entry Fee & Proceeds & Info

Eligiblilty: Each team must contain at least one person from Melrose or related to someone from Melrose—or must LOVE MELROSE~!

• $200 entry fee per team if paid by July 31. $250 if paid August 1^st or after. Covers your green fees & cart.
• All profits go to worthy Melrose projects sponsored by Melrose Betterment.
• No refunds.

o       If team cancels, their entry fee is donated to Melrose.

o       We cannot re-schedule tourney in case of rain-so a card tournament will be held instead.

·        Checks payable to Melrose Betterment-Golf Open

• Afternoon tee times will be determined by when entry fees are received-first come-first served basis.
• Shot gun start
• Teams of four-four person best shot.
• Play will be 8-somes. Both teams play together on each hole. (Adjustment if uneven number of teams entered)