TAMA NEWS-HERALD- After a bit of concern about Tama Sesquicentennial plans expressed earlier by some Tama city officials, Mayor Chris Bearden was able to say “I’m really happy with the group here tonight.”

City council members Josh Youngbear, Robert Tyynismaa, Steve Baier and Dan Zimmerman along with the mayor, Public Works Director John Lloyd and City Clerk Judy Welch were joined by more than a half-dozen community members at a session at the Tama Civic Center Monday night. On hand were Sue Carnahan, Byron Witt, Tracy and Rosemary Brady, Darrell Brower, Brenda Youngbear and Charles Betz.

Carnahan, Witt and Baier were identified as three of the four people who have headed up the Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival for several years.

With planning meetings to continue to be held once every two weeks – the next is Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Civic Center – two important pieces of information emerged Monday night: Tama’s 150th observance will be held in conjunction with the 33rd annual Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival on the third Friday-Saturday of May, 2012, and many more volunteers will be needed to make the event a huge success.

Carnahan emphasized committees to carry out assignments are needed rather than relying upon just a few to do the work.

Enthusiasm prevailed as many ideas were suggested including:

•designing and painting a new Lincoln Highway Bridge mural on the west side of the Career Development Center at 3rd and Siegel

•a return of the free or a low-cost noon lunch with Tama County Pork Producers and Cattlemen organizations grilling

•presenting outdoor movies

•a county fair-type of theme

•a 5K Race which goes to and from the actual Lincoln Highway bridge on East 5th Street

•vendors up and dow 3rd Street

•more bands and other parade entries

•old-time costumes, beard contest and historic displays

•more entertainment on Saturday afternoon with multiple stages at the Civic Center and bands on McClellan between 3rd and 4th streets

•logo contest