MUSCATINE IOWA
Here are a few interesting Wikipedia Facts:
Population 22,886. The name Muscatine is believed by some to have been derived from the Mascouten Native American tribe.The Algonquian-speaking Mascoutin were driven out of Michigan in around 1642 by French and Natives, and they were believed to have been absorbed into the Meskwaki (Fox) and Sac tribes by the early 18th century.
CIVIL WAR
From the 1840s to the Civil War, Muscatine had Iowa's largest black community, consisting of fugitive slaves from the South and free blacks who had migrated from the eastern states. One of the most prominent community leaders was Alexander Clark Sr., a Pennsylvania native, barber and eventually a wealthy timber salesman and real estate speculator. He was among the founders of the local AME Church, assisted fugitive slaves, and petitioned the state government to overturn racist laws before the war. In 1863, Clark helped organize Iowa's black regiment, the 60th United States Colored Infantry (originally known as the 1st Iowa Infantry, African Descent), though an injury prevented him from serving.
PEARL OF THE MISSISSIPPI
In 1884 J.F. Boepple, a German immigrant, founded a pearl button company. He produced buttons that looked like pearls by machine-punching them out of freshwater mussel shells harvested from the Mississippi River. Muscatine's slogan, "Pearl of the Mississippi," refers to the days when pearl button manufacturing by the McKee Button Company was a significant economic contributor. In 1915, Weber & Sons Button Co., Inc. was the world's largest producer of fancy freshwater pearl buttons. From that time forward, Muscatine was known as "The Pearl Button Capital of the World". Weber is still manufacturing today and celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2004.
GEOGRAPHY
Positioned some 25 miles (40 km) (30 minutes) from the Quad Cities, 38 miles (61 km) (52 minutes) from Iowa City and some 68 miles (109 km) (75 minutes) from Cedar Rapids, Muscatine is the smallest link in a non-contiguous populated area which surpassed 800,000 residents in the decade following the 2000 census. The key feature of this region is that although the populated areas are non-contiguous, a high percentage of residents commute between the cities for work, particularly those in professional fields.
So, who was Scot Halpin, one of Muscatine's most famous sons?
Thomas Scot Halpin (February 3, 1954 – February 9, 2008) was an artist and musician. He sat in for The Who's Keith Moon, who apparently was strung out on PCP during a rock concert in 1973 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco at which he had been an audience member. Townsand asks the crowd if anyone could play drums. Halpin, a WHO junkie, volunteered and jumped on stage. He knew the songs. The rest is Rock Legend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scot_Halpin
As promised, I went to the Muscatine Rally. Here is my on-site report :) Though I would have liked to provide real-time reporting, my phone battery was dwindling—It’s Iowa—can you hear me now? No :(
We got up at 4:00 a.m. and left a little before 6. Stopped at a local gas station/coffee shop prior to getting to the rally, and locals were discussing the rally, the law enforcement presence, etc. All positive talk. We arrived at the venue at 9. Saw C-Span, NBC, and CNN satellite trucks outside. Decent temperatures and ample parking :)
We had a very nice time waiting in line for a little over an hour chatting with Iowans about the Caucus process, state of the Union, etc. It was one of the smaller rallies, which in addition to clear weather and close proximity, is why we chose to attend this particular rally.
Locals informed me that yes, Mr. Trump was in church in Muscatine prior to attending. With the exception of the one upper bleacher section under renovation, pretty much every seat in the twin upper bleacher sections running the length of the basketball court were filled, and the basketball court floor area was filled with those willing to stand.
Word to anyone attending future rallies: People were told they must have ticket to get in...and to return any items to car that one would not bring on an airplane...sharp objects, pepper spray, etc. With a smaller rally like Muscatine, could easily return to car to discard any controversial items (key chain knives & tools, pepper spray, etc.) that could be used as a weapon—however, in a large venue, that might be problematic...
Mr. Trump was on time and looked great—rested and energized. Trump gave a great speech—talked for over an hour with no notes or teleprompter. Perhaps because it was a smaller intimate venue, Mr. Trump just seemed very warm and connected well to the crowd.
He made some interesting comments regarding Eminent Domain—i.e., the idea that all conservatives had supported the Keystone Pipeline, which would require use of Eminent Domain. Therefore, conservatives should be in favor of Eminent Domain if they are supporting the Pipeline. However that said, some Republicans have been criticizing his “conservative creds” since he supports the use of Eminent Domain....the positions don’t line up...and the attack ads are deceiving.
He did stick around for quite a while to chat with supporters and sign posters. Crowd loved him.
Took one of my kids with me—told them if Trump is President, this is the closest that they (and likely any of their friends) will ever be to a President. We got within 15 feet :) I told them that they will be talking about this rally in years to come. Just the whole atmosphere—watching and talking with Trump campaign staff and actual secret service personnel, watching crowd go nuts, etc. was something most don’t get to do.
I have to say, Iowan’s are spoiled LOL—they get to visit with practically every candidate! That said, they really do seem to take their first place position in the political primary season very seriously. Again, Trump pledged to keep Iowa first place in the primary process.
I truly enjoyed being with many like-minded folks—some were on border between Trump and Cruz, but all seemed to want to Make America Great Again ;) Although it seemed most of the attendees were supporting Trump, there were still undecideds...and even though they had not yet chosen their candidate, they applauded much of Trump’s speech! Their passion and applause seemed to increase as Trump continued.
IF Trump is in your area, I highly recommend you make the effort to see him in person! Just a very special time :)