Jane Butcher (center) prepares for her film interview with Forest Grove School Preservation's Barbara Blunk Andersen and Sharon Andresen, and Fourth Wall Films filmmaker Tammy Rundle.
Kelly and I at Fourth Wall Films were saddened to learn of the passing of Jane Butcher, a wonderful teacher and human being.
We will always remember Jane warmly and count ourselves very lucky to have had the opportunity to interview her about her one-room teaching experiences at Forest Grove School No. 5.
Thankfully, Jane's memories live on "Remembering Forest Grove", the Emmy Award-winning short documentary that shows exclusively at Forest Grove School No. 5, and also in "Resurrecting Forest Grove", the new feature-length documentary that will premiere in September for the 150th anniversary of Forest Grove. Jane said she loved Forest Grove School. And, we know she was appreciated and loved by her Forest Grove students.
Our hearts go out to Jane's family and all who loved her. She will indeed be missed.
We include her obituary here.
Jessie Lee Carolyn "Jane" Butcher
March 20, 1924 — May 20, 2023
Jessie Lee Carolyn “Jane” Butcher, 99, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023 at Iowa Masonic Nursing Home in Bettendorf, IA where she was a resident in good care since 2015. “Jane” was born in Letts, IA, March 20, 1924, to Benjamin Harrison and Mabel Wagner Westbrook. As one of eight siblings growing up on the Westbrook farm, she attended Iowa Teacher’s College and was a beloved teacher in Muscatine. She married Jack Butcher (Barlow) in 1944. The family moved to the Quad Cities in 1950 where she continued to teach in elementary schools, including Forest Grove Schoolhouse No. 5 from 1956-57. She owned the LeClaire Maid-Rite from 1957-1960.
Jane’s family and friends meant the world to her. Everyone who had the pleasure of enjoying her meals and baked goods pleaded for her secret recipes. Artistically creative, her talents in culinary delights were praised for great taste, special designs and presentation. She was the manager of Jumer’s Castle Lodge Bakery for several years and famous for her cinnamon rolls and fine desserts. She opened Grandma’s Gingerbread House on Kimberly Road, Davenport, and was the driving force in getting the former Slices & Scoops opened in Bettendorf. Jane was a beloved hardworking mother, grandmother, and teacher who also enjoyed having jewelry and home décor parties until retiring and moving to Luther Manor, Bettendorf.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Sherry and son-in-law Joseph McGuigan of FL; grandsons J. L. Westbrook of CA, Shay Humphrey of SC and Wyatt Butcher of AZ; granddaughter Sasha Tyson of FL; daughter-in-law Sarah Butcher of LA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Jeanetta Westbrook Berkley; brothers Benjamin, Jr.; Frederick; Hartley “Hap”; Robert “Bob”; Donald “Doc”; and Richard “Dick” Westbrook; daughter Shane Humphrey D.C. of Bettendorf; and son Kelly Doc Butcher of LA.
Arrangements are pending at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Burial will be in the family cemetery in Grandview, IA. Memorials may be made to Iowa Masonic Health Facilities, Bettendorf, or FC Compassus LLC Davenport Hospice Care. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
Forest Grove School built in 1873 and fully restored is now open for tours. (Photo courtesy Jonathan Turner)
Fourth Wall Films is thrilled to see all of the good news surrounding Forest Grove School and its 150th Anniversary celebration this year. Bravo to Forest Grove on the SSNHA designation. We are SO excited about the premiere of "Resurrecting Forest Grove" on the Putnam Giant Screen September 23!
A wonderful story by WHBF's Jonathan Turner ran today, and we include a portion here. You can read the rest by clicking on the WHBF link below.
There’s a new national heritage site in Bettendorf.
The restored Forest Grove School No. 5 (24040 Forest Grove Drive) has received official designation as a Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) Site.
Ranging from dairy farms and museums to vineyards and tractor assembly plants, there are 110 sites and attractions in the heritage area formally designated with preserving and sharing their own unique part of America’s agricultural story, according to a Monday news release.
In celebration of the partnership between SSNHA and Forest Grove School No. 5, a ribbon cutting will take place at the school on June 16 at 11 a.m.
Read the rest of Jonathan Turners' story at WHBF HERE!
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Fourth Wall Films' Kelly and Tammy Rundle won a Mid-America Emmy® award for their short documentary “Remembering Forest Grove” which screens exclusively at Forest Grove School. The Rundles have won 4 Emmys, and have received a total of twelve Emmy-nominations for their various film projects over the last decade. They are currently in post-production on their feature-length documentary “Resurrecting Forest Grove”. The film will premiere for the country school’s 150th Anniversary on the Putnam Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa on September 23rd, 2023 .
For more information, visit ForestGroveMovie.com.
Fourth Wall Films filmmaker Tammy Rundle and former Forest Grove one-room school student Vera Conner get ready to roll camera on her interview.
We mourn the loss of Vera Conner, a delightful former one-room school student of Forest Grove No. 5. She was a breath of fresh air to talk to on camera about her fond and clear memories of her country school days at Forest Grove.
"There's just something about a one-room schoolhouse, "she shared during her interview. "It was a part of my life, so it's very important to me,"
Vera appears in Fourth Wall Films' Emmy Award-winning "Remembering Forest Grove" which shows exclusively at Forest Grove School No. 5 in Bettendorf, Iowa. She also appears in the feature-length documentary "Resurrecting Forest Grove" which will premiere on the Putnam Museum and Science Center's Giant Screen September 23rd.
We will pay tribute to Vera that special day, and to all of those important people who kept Forest Grove's memories alive.
Our deepest condolences go out to Vera's beloved family and friends.
We include Vera's obituary here.
Vera A Conner
May 24, 1937 - January 16, 2023
A Celebration of life luncheon will be held January 28th from 11 to 2 at Spring Village Apts, 3320 Spring Street, Davenport, in the community room. Memorials may be made to the family for a headstone for Vera.
Vera worked as legal secretary and later as a transcriptionist for Urological Associates, retiring in 1999. She enjoyed crafts, making reborn dolls and making cards.
She is survived by her children, Tracy (Rick) Fielder, Becky (Jeff) Wierenga, Curt (Andi) Conner; 17 grandchildren; and multiple great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 2 sons; her sister; and parents.
“Remembering Forest Grove”, a documentary short produced by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films were awarded a Mid-America Emmy® Award in the Educational (short form) category. The couple also won an Historical Documentary Emmy®, along with co-producer Garry McGee, for their feature-length documentary “Jean Seberg: Actress Activist Icon”. Both of the films had their broadcast premiere on WQPT- PBS.
“We could not be more pleased with the news of receiving the Emmy® awards for our documentary work. We were honored to just be nominated and did not anticipate winning,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “Our deep gratitude goes out to Lora Adams and WQPT-PBS for the qualifying broadcast and their ongoing interest in our work, and to all of the participants and supporters who made “Remembering Forest Grove" possible.”
Courtesy Forest Grove School No. 5.
"Remembering Forest Grove" highlights the history of education in the nation, one-room schools in Iowa, on-camera interviews with former teachers and students of Forest Grove School No. 5, and concludes with a visual summary of the successful seven-year restoration spearheaded by a group of local dedicated volunteers.
“The Emmy® win for "Remembering Forest Grove" is especially sweet to share with the determined, hard-working visionaries, like Sharon Andresen and Barb Andersen, and professionals, volunteers and donors, historians, teachers and students, who brought the educational icon back to life,” added director Kelly Rundle.
Forest Grove School was built in 1873 and closed in 1957. Restoration began in 2012 and was completed in 2019. Forest Grove School No. 5 is refurbished to its 1920s appearance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Forest Grove is now open for tours during the summer months and educational classroom re-enactments for school groups via appointment.
"Remembering Forest Grove" is available to view exclusively at Forest Grove School No. 5. The restored schoolhouse is open for tours in the summer, and educational classroom re-enactments for school groups via appointment. Visit ForestGroveSchool.org for information.
Fourth Wall Films' Tammy and Kelly Rundle with their four Emmys.
Kelly and Tammy Rundle received a Mid-America Emmy® award for their environmental documentary “Over and Under: Wildlife Crossings” in 2021, and have received a total of twelve Emmy-nominations for their various film projects over the last decade. They are currently in post-production on their feature-length documentary “Resurrecting Forest Grove”. The film will premiere for the country school’s 150th Anniversary on the Putnam Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa on September 23rd, 2023 .
For more information, visit ForestGroveMovie.com.
Our deep gratitude to WHBF-4's Jonathan Turner for sharing our good news about Remembering Forest Grove's Emmy nomination. We include an excerpt from his story and a link to read the rest. Cross your fingers for us on October 29th!
QC Filmmakers earn two new Emmy nominations
By Jonathan Turner, WHBF-4 Reporter
The Primetime Emmy Awards were given out Monday night, but Moline’s Kelly and Tammy Rundle have their eyes on the prizes to be announced in late October.
The independent documentary filmmakers — who own and operate Fourth Wall Films — have received two 2022 Mid-America Emmy nominations for their historical documentary films “Jean Seberg: Actress Activist Icon,” a feature-length film co-produced with Garry McGee; and “Remembering Forest Grove,” a short museum film.
Both of the married couple’s films had their qualifying broadcast premiere on WQPT-PBS.
“We are very excited to receive the news of two nominations and are grateful for the recognition for both films,” producer Tammy Rundle said recently in a news release. “Our deep gratitude goes out to Lora Adams and WQPT-PBS for the qualifying broadcast and for their ongoing interest in our work. We are grateful to all the participants and supporters who made these documentary films possible.”
Read the rest of the story HERE!
Resurrecting Forest Grove, a feature-length documentary produced by Fourth Wall Films, has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Moline Foundation during its Spring 2022 cycle. The fiscal sponsor for the project is Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. The grant will partially fund post-production (editing) work on the new film project.
“Our thanks to the Moline Foundation for its support on Resurrecting Forest Grove," said the film’s producer Tammy Rundle. “The Moline Foundation has been very supportive of our work in creating enlightening and entertaining historical documentaries on important subjects based in the Quad Cities region and we are grateful.”
The Rundles first visited Forest Grove School in Bettendorf, Iowa in 2009 while filming snow scenes for their Emmy® nominated historical documentary Country School: One Room – One Nation. The school appeared to be on the brink of collapse and un-restorable. In 2012, a small group of local preservationists decided the 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5 in Bettendorf, Iowa could, and should, be saved.
Resurrecting Forest Grove, will cinematically tell the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring the vintage one-room school to its 1920s appearance. Footage and interviews gathered over a seven-year period will depict the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project are intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.
Resurrecting Forest Grove is slated to premiere at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa in 2023. For more information about the new documentary, visit www.ForestGroveMovie.com and the film's Facebook fan page.
The Moline Foundation serves as a catalyst and leader in encouraging philanthropy and channeling resources to meet the needs of the Quad Cities and the surrounding area. It serves the donors, citizens, and non-profit organizations in the counties of Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson, McDonough in Illinois, and Scott County in Iowa.
Truth First Film Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Moline, Illinois, promotes, supports, and encourages the production and exhibition of documentary films, and narrative films based on true stories, through public presentations and educational programs in the Quad Cities region. Free public programs include film screenings and discussions with visiting filmmakers and classroom visits to talk about film and filmmaking with students.
Fourth Wall Films is an Emmy-winning Northwestern Illinois-based film and video production company specializing in Midwestern historical documentaries for public television broadcast and national DVD and Blu-ray home video release and online streaming. Fourth Wall also provides limited theatrical, broadcast, and DVD distribution services, primarily for our own titles. In addition, the company provides commercial services to museums, PBS stations, and other film and video producers.
"Remembering Forest Grove”, a museum film produced by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, received the top Award of Excellence from the Iowa Motion Picture Association in the Education category on Saturday evening, May 14. The 10-minute film highlights the history of education in the nation, one-room schools in Iowa, on-camera interviews with former teachers and students of Forest Grove School No. 5, and concludes with a visual summary of the successful seven-year restoration spearheaded by a group of local dedicated volunteers.
Forest Grove School was built in 1873 and closed in 1957. Restoration began in 2012 and was completed in 2019. Forest Grove School No. 5 is refurbished to its 1920s appearance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We’re grateful for this award that recognizes the creative quality of the film and the importance of this inspiring Quad Cities’ historic preservation project,” said director Kelly Rundle. The Rundles also won the IMPA Award of Excellence in the Education category for their documentary “Over and Under: Wildlife Crossings" in 2021.
The newly restored schoolhouse is open for tours on Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to noon, and Thursdays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Docents guide tours through the one-room school’s fun exhibits and share details about the country school experience throughout the summer.
“Remembering Forest Grove” is available to view exclusively at the schoolhouse. Multiple shorter films about farming, history, and former students and teachers of Forest Grove School, are also accessible via an interactive kiosk in the museum.
Forest Grove School No. 5 is located at 24040 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa. For more information about Forest Grove School No. 5, visit ForestGroveSchool.org.
Kelly and Tammy Rundle are the owners of Fourth Wall Films, a multi-award-winning and Mid-America Emmy award-winning independent film and video production company based in the Quad Cities. They are currently in post-production on the feature-length documentary "Resurrecting Forest Grove" which will premiere in the fall of 2023 for Forest Grove School No. 5's Sesquicentennial Celebration. Visit FourthWallFilms.com for more information.
We are pleased to announce that "Remembering Forest Grove" has been nominated for an Iowa Motion Picture Award! The short documentary was produced by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films for Forest Grove School Preservation and is only available to view in the schoolhouse museum located at 24040 Forest Grove Dr, Bettendorf, Iowa. Visit https://forestgroveschool.org/ for museum hours and more information.
The Iowa Motion Picture Awards recognize outstanding creative and technical achievement in Iowa’s moving image production industry, in all its forms -- in 22 program categories and 25 craft categories. Nominated entries and winners will be recognized at the Iowa Motion Picture Awards Gala Ceremony on May 14 at The Bridgeview Center in Ottumwa, Iowa. Visit IMPA for more details.
Fourth Wall Films’ Kelly Rundle & Tammy Rundle have been producing, writing, directing and editing documentaries and other media projects for over 25 years. The Rundles are Emmy® Award winners, and the recipients of 8 Mid-America Emmy® nominations, more than two dozen film festival awards, Telly awards, humanities media grant awards, and dozens of film festival Official Selections.
The Rundles are currently in post-production on a feature length documentary, Resurrecting Forest Grove, which cinematically tells the dramatic true story behind the seemingly-impossible task of restoring the vintage one-room school to its 1920s appearance. In 2012, a small group of preservationists stood before the hollowed-out shell of the unique and historic 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5. In the shadow of the gray, windowless, sagging structure they decided it could, and should, be saved. Footage and interviews gathered over a seven-year period depict the problems they faced and the solutions they employed as they attempted to bring this rural icon back to life. The surprises and successes of this challenging restoration project are intercut with a vivid historical portrait of the 'Roaring 20s' in rural America.
Resurrecting Forest Grove is partially funded by a grant from Humanities Iowa, and the The National Endowment for the Humanities. The fiscal sponsor for the documentary project is Truth First Film Alliance, Inc.
Click HERE to learn how to contribute to the documentary film project and add your name to the credits.
Resurrecting Forest Grove is slated for release in 2023 for the 150th anniversary of the school!
April is Fundraising Campaign Month for Resurrecting Forest Grove, the new feature documentary by Emmy award-winning Fourth Wall Films.
Watch the brief video below. Then CLICK HERE for details on how you can contribute to the documentary project &
have your donation DOUBLED by a special MYSTERY CASH MATCH.
Thank you very much for your support!
The one-hour Humanities Iowa program — “Resurrecting Forest Grove, Or the Impossible & Improbable Restoration of a Roaring ‘20s Country School” — will include a Q&A with the Rundles, Iowa historian Leo Landis, and Forest Grove preservationist Sharon Andresen. Viewers can attend the event via Fourth Wall Films’ Facebook page.
READ the rest of the story HERE!