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15 Minutes

MARIANN DARTER

Resides: Gilman

Hometown: Resided in Tama through grade-school, then moved to Marshalltown.

FAMILY LIFE

Family: Steve Frye is my “significant other” of 10 years. I have a son residing in Fishers, Indiana; Heath Lang, daughter-in-law Christine, grandsons Robert 18, and Zach 10. My daughter Chelsea Darter, who is moving to Chicago to attend Columbia College for her Master of Fine Arts degree. My dad, Pete Edwards, who lives in Gladbrook. Additionally, I have five brothers.

Hobbies and interests: Hiking around Greencastle Recreation Area, and walking my dog and watching her hunt. Also reading, gardening, biking and working out at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA.

Pets: Melly, my 1- year old yellow lab that is the love of my life.

WORK

Occupation: Internal project manager at Emerson Process Management/Fisher Controls.

What that means: My office is in the Governor Road facility. Customers submit project orders after working with Emerson’s engineering and design staff. Next, the orders are released to manufacturing. My duties are to ensure every valve completes each stage of operations so it is delivered on time. For example, I was responsible for overseeing the valves installed at Alliant Energy’s Sutherland Station. Each valve has many different processes to regulate, so they have a myriad of parts. This translates into many different materials, types of accessories, and manufacturing processes. One of my favorite duties is overseeing valve testing. Customers send in, or hire an inspector to document how the valve performs to different types of testing. I help set up these inspections, which involves coordinating schedules with inspectors and manufacturing. It is fulfilling to prepare valves for inspection, and see our products meet a customer’s rigid specifications and expectations.

FAVORITES

Books: “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte, and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.

Movies: “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” And any black and white movie on AMC television network.

Foods: “Real” tacos and grilled vegetables.

Sports: Football, wrestling and tumbling.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: The best part of living in the country is the wildlife, the beauty of the different seasons and early morning quiet.

Most influential people: My parents. My mother for her outspokenness, and my father for his love of children and animals.

Advice to give someone: Do not expect people to change. Accept the good, and learn to adapt to the bad.

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15 Minutes is a Saturday feature about Central Iowans. The question and answer format lends itself be completed or read in 15 minutes or less.

15 Minutes

ASHLEY ARNOTE

Resides: Albion

Hometown: Albion

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My father is Ken Arnote, my mother is Brenda Arnote, and my younger brother is Brayden Arnote.

Pets: “Jada,” a German Shepherd, and “Lucky,” a Maine Coon cat. There is Packer, a Palomino, and Diamond, a Bay horse.

Hobbies and interests: Riding horses, fishing, being outdoors and enjoying the company of friends.

WORK

Occupation: I will be entering Iowa State University in Ames this fall as a freshman. I will be studying Animal Sciences and pursuing a career in Animal Forensic Science.

Best part of school: In looking back on high school, the best would have been meeting – and becoming friends with – the people I did. School is hard, and very “cliquey.” I found a great, close, group of girls who are all my very close friends. They made my entire high school experience worthwhile and meaningful.

FAVORITES

Book: “Ethan Frome,” by Edith Wharton.

Movie: “Finding Nemo”

Food: Tater-tot casserole

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: The best part of living in a small town is everyone knows everyone. The sense of “family” goes beyond just your biological genes. I heard someone say recently: “You can leave and go far away, but you will always be ‘small town’ and will always know this as home, whether you become some big shot or not, you can’t ignore your roots.”

Most influential person: My dad. We go “head to head” a lot and we don’t always see eye to eye on things, but he always influences me to be a hard worker through example, a responsible, trustworthy person, and to be the friend everyone can count on when they need anything. My dad has always lead by example. And if you asked anyone, they could tell you the same thing. He influences me to be these things each and everyday and does an exemplary job of being a role model.

Local involvement: I was a Central Iowa Fair Queen candidate twice – and encourage all eligible young women to give it a try. Additionally, I participated in Big Brothers/Big Sisters for a couple of years and had the pleasure of mentoring a “little brother.” I also volunteered with the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit of Central Iowa leadership team, and worked with staff to provide young adults information on drugs, the abuse of same, and risk factors, I also visit the Marshall County Jail with my boss – a deacon – and help him run church services periodically.

Advice on life: Always be your own person. Don’t ever conform to what society wants you to be or let anyone tell you to live your life a certain way. Be unique, be yourself, and always remember to have fun.

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15 Minutes is a Saturday feature about Central Iowans. The question and answer format lends itself be completed or read in 15 minutes or less. To submit a name for consideration, or to participate, contact Times-Republican Staff and Features Reporter Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com.

15 Minutes

MARK WIELAND

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas

FAMILY LIFE

Family: Married to Caleen Wieland 25 years. We have two children, ages 23 and 18.

Pets: Whiskey, a Labrador mix and two cats – Emmy and Bella.

Hobbies and interests: I enjoy motorcycle riding with the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, carpentry, live music, and volunteering to help veterans.

WORK

Occupation: Loss Control Consultant, Midwest Builders’ Casualty Group.

What that means: My primary responsibility is to assist companies to identifying hazards which would injure employees.

Tenure: I have been at my current position one year and in Safety/Risk Management 25 years.

Best part of job: Having the opportunity to educate workers in preventing injuries.

FAVORITES

Books: “Christine,” by Stephen King and “Dead or Alive,” by the late Tom Clancy.

Movies: “Top Gun,” and “Shawshank Redemption.”

Foods: Pizza and barbecue.

Sports: The Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball, the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, and the Iowa State University Cyclones.

COMMUNITY

Local involvement: St. Henry Parish, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, the Iowa Veterans Home, and American Society of Safety Engineers

Advice on life: Get busy living … or get busy dying.

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15 Minutes is a Saturday feature about Central Iowans. The question and answer format lends itself be completed or read in 15 minutes or less. To submit a name for consideration, or to participate, contact Times-Republican Staff and Features Reporter Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com.

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