Latest news with #MikeRowley
Axios
06-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Unmarked graves of Union soldiers identified in Des Moines
The unmarked graves of 15 Civil War veterans of the Union army will receive headstones at Glendale Cemetery this month, more than a century after their deaths. Why it matters: A volunteer initiative to help install the memorials seeks to address a long-standing oversight for soldiers who served in the nation's bloodiest conflict. Catch up quick: Research by retired Des Moines firefighter Bob Niffenegger recently identified the unmarked burials via documents like military and court records. Cemetery staff and military groups collaborated to obtain the stones at no cost from the U.S. Veterans Administration. State of play: The soldiers ranged from ages 17 to 35 during their military service and were originally from nine states, including Iowa. They were between 27 and 86 at the time of their deaths. It's unknown why their graves went unmarked, cemetery historian Mike Rowley tells Axios. The intrigue: The research uncovered unique stories behind some of their lives through newspaper articles published around a century ago. Merrick Pease was a relatively obscure Iowa inventor who may have patented a telephone four years before Alexander Graham Bell, despite dying with only $100. Josiah Nelson, the last of the 15 to die, in 1931, once replied in court, "I beg your pardon, judge, I am only 82," after a judge mistakenly added a year to his age. William Cave was a Civil War musician and a longtime shoemaker who carved custom wooden foot molds for his clients from a shop at the former Randolph Hotel in DSM. At the time of his death, even his birthdate was unknown.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Oxfordshire street parties and torch processions to mark VE Day
Street parties, live 1940s-style music events and beacon lighting alongside the River Thames in Oxfordshire will mark 80 years since VE City Council is waiving the road closure charge to encourage residents and community groups to host street displays and the traditional throwing game Aunt Sally will also feature in the week when the nation celebrates the end of World War Two in bells will ring out and beacons will be lit across the UK on VE Day, 8 May. On VE Day, 8 May, Abingdon will begin commemorations with the town crier's proclamation from the County Hall roof at 09:00 BST. Banbury Town Council promises a "true street party experience" in the town hall with live music, stories and military vehicles on will be run at churches in Bicester, Thame and Witney in the early evening, while beacon-lighting ceremonies take place in Henley-on-Thames and Blenheim Palace in Oxford, the union flag will fly over the Town Hall and bells will peal at Carfax Rose Hill, the Social Club will celebrate with an evening of music and Aunt Sally games, a traditional English pub game where players throw batons at a wooden skittle or "doll" placed on top of a post. On Saturday 10 May, Woodstock will host a "a street party with living history", Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum displays, military vehicles and live 1940s-style music.A rally of MG cars will take place in Abingdon Market Place on Sunday 11 May and an exhibition of the role the car factory played in the war streets of Wantage will come alive for a vintage party, where people are invited to come dressed in their "finest 1940s attire" for a fancy dress competition. Mike Rowley, Lord Mayor of Oxford, said the anniversary was "an important opportunity for us to come together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the wartime generation"."VE Day is a defining moment in our history and this may be one of the last opportunities we have to thank the surviving veterans, so we should celebrate them in style."By waiving the road closure charge for small street parties, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to take part." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Surplus food initiative launches city fridge
A community surplus food initiative has launched a city fridge, with the aim to reduce food waste by redistribution. HeartyEarth community celebrated the start of Oxford City Fridge at the Botley Road side of the Westgate Hotel on 7 March. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Mike Rowley cut the ceremonial ribbon and about 50kg of food was given away. From 17 March between 10:00 GMT and 22:00 GMT, residents will be able to take away free food, collected daily from the Oxford Food Hub and Sofea charity. HeartyEarth founder Sâmân Jamshidifardsaid it was "important to note we focus on surplus of surplus". "What is left after all the other charities, foodbanks and others have taken everything they need or can save, by taking food from our space, you are helping to [reduce food waste]. "The generous owners of the Westgate Hotel, Andy, Steve and Phil Jones, are very happy to provide the space for the community efforts." Two HeartyEarth art installation can also be found in the space. Along with his volunteers, he also provides free curry meals across the city. He added that he saw Oxford City Fridge "as an organic extension of Oxford City Larder, Jericho Pantry, Hinksey Park Larder and the SurplusCurry project". Mr Jamshidifardsaid thanked Oxford independent businesses that back the initiative such as The Flower Shop, Kennington Flooring, Fishtail Lounge & Bar, Dosa Park restaurant and Happy Cakes. Other guests to the launch included councillors Susanna Pressel and Lois Muddiman. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. The social supermarket tackling stigma and food costs Charity saves surplus food to feed local community Surplus curry initiative fundraises for a van Surplus Curry Oxford Food Hub SOFEA Westgate Hotel
BBC News
10-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Oxford surplus food initiative launches city fridge
A community surplus food initiative has launched a city fridge, with the aim to reduce food waste by community celebrated the start of Oxford City Fridge at the Botley Road side of the Westgate Hotel on 7 West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Mike Rowley cut the ceremonial ribbon and about 50kg of food was given 17 March between 10:00 GMT and 22:00 GMT, residents will be able to take away free food, collected daily from the Oxford Food Hub and Sofea charity. HeartyEarth founder Sâmân Jamshidifardsaid it was "important to note we focus on surplus of surplus"."What is left after all the other charities, foodbanks and others have taken everything they need or can save, by taking food from our space, you are helping to [reduce food waste]."The generous owners of the Westgate Hotel, Andy, Steve and Phil Jones, are very happy to provide the space for the community efforts."Two HeartyEarth art installation can also be found in the with his volunteers, he also provides free curry meals across the added that he saw Oxford City Fridge "as an organic extension of Oxford City Larder, Jericho Pantry, Hinksey Park Larder and the SurplusCurry project". Mr Jamshidifardsaid thanked Oxford independent businesses that back the initiative such as The Flower Shop, Kennington Flooring, Fishtail Lounge & Bar, Dosa Park restaurant and Happy guests to the launch included councillors Susanna Pressel and Lois Muddiman. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Axios
04-03-2025
- General
- Axios
Researchers uncover Black history at this Des Moines cemetery
As part of our Black History Month coverage, we recently spotlighted several local activists whose contributions influenced the broader Civil Rights Movement. Why it matters: We barely scratched the surface, including history rediscovered from the graves at Woodland Cemetery. Catch up fast: Researchers have in recent years documented more than a dozen Underground Railroad conductors and freedom seekers who are buried there. The National Park Service added Woodland to its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom list in 2021. Zoom in: Local historian Mike Rowley, who co-authored a book about the cemetery last year, highlighted some of the people buried there who made significant contributions to Black history. John Lay Thompson (1869-1930) Editor and owner of The Iowa Bystander, the oldest Black newspaper west of the Mississippi, into the 20th century. Henrietta Wallace (1833-1913) A Black woman who served three years as a cook for the 39th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War before choosing Iowa as her home. Delia Webster (1817-1904) The first woman imprisoned for assisting runaway slaves. 📺 Learn more: Videos about the lives of dozens of people buried at Woodland Cemetery are available via QR codes at their gravesites or online.
