Lt. Gov. judge visits Red Oak

RED OAK — As part of her Travel Iowa campaign, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge came to the Wilson Performing Arts Center Friday, encouraging local residents to spend this summer enjoying their home state’s attractions.

“People who don’t live here think this is nothing but a big cornfield between two rivers,” Judge said. “That simply is not true.”

Two weeks ago in Des Moines, Judge embarked on her self-proclaimed Iowa road trip, with plans to make 67 stops, including Friday afternoon’s in Red Oak. However, midway through the trip, Judge realizes that number will be much higher.

“When you are driving the highway and see a full sized pink elephant with a top hat, don’t you think you need to stop?” Judge asked. “There’s a lot to see here, there’s some like with this new arts center we are in.”

Highlights of her trip Judge mentioned included viewing original works by Rembrandt and Picasso in Charles City, and throwing out the first pitch of a baseball game in Davenport. She added she has been writing a daily web blog, highlighting each stop.

“I’ve just been absolutely amazed by the number of people who are following this and emailing me telling they are enjoying this trip as well,” she said.

While in Red Oak, Wilson Performing Arts Center Board President and City Councilman Larry Brandstetter presented Judge a t-shirt depicting a photograph of her with a Red Oak student in recognition of Judge’s support of arts education.

He also took the opportunity to apologize for the small crowd.

“The reason our numbers are so sparse today is tourism,” he said. “Between the county fair and this little event called RAGBRAI, everybody is spending today getting ready for that.”