The Gazette from Cedar Rapids, Iowa • 60

People 6S Cedar Rapids Gazette July 23, 1986 Joanna Schanz continues Amana basket tradition (oven into hundreds of willow baskets at Joanna Schanzs Broom and Profile Joanna Schanz Age: 43. Address: West Amana. Hometown: Cedar Rapids. Occupation: basket weaver at Broom and Basket Shop, West Amana and Main Amana. Education: attended Cedar Rapids Business College.

Family: husband Norman, children Jolene, Marsha and Michael, all at home, and Kathy, a graduate of Luther College in Decorah. Interests: teaching basket weaving, board member of the Amana Arts Guild, past officer of Iowa County Association of Retarded Citizens. Basket Shop in West Amana and Main Amana is the inspiration of Philip Dickel. Dickel was the last active basket weaver in the Amana Colonies when Joanna asked him in the early 1970s for some information on making willow baskets. Joanna and her husband, Norman, had opened the West Amana shop in 1971, had revived broommaking $nd were ready to add basketmaking.

Dickel, however, didnt just offer some weaving tips. "He said hed do more than tell me, hed show me, recalls Joanna, 43. "He gave us willows to plant by the broom shop in West Amana. Then in 1977 he kept his promise and worked with me. Dickel died in 1981, but his expertise lives on through a proliferation of baskets created by Joanna and two of her students, Kathy Kellenberger and Laura Kleinmey-er, who now weave part-time at the Main Amana shop.

"When I first made them, I kept them all, Joanna remembers. "I was hoarding them away, making them and piling them up. "I kept the first apple picker I made and the first one Philip and I made together. In addition to willow, Joanna makes her baskets out of trimmings of dogwood, lilac, honeysuckle, mock orange and mulberry. Her search for wild willow has taken her through muddy fields and river bottoms.

Fall is her favorite time to hunt for willows. "The leaves are off and you can spot some you missed in the summer, she notes. "This spring I found a willow patch and I knew I was walking on ice. Once a basket is finished, Joanna stresses it should be put to work. "Philip told me baskets are made to use, not hang up on a wall, she says.

The people of communal Amana constructed their baskets for rough treatment in the garden and delicate transportation of babies. "The Amana people took care of their baskets, Joanna says. A secret to the baskets long life is the removable bottom rim, which takes the beating of being pulled on the ground and then can be replaced. As she was taught by Philip Dickel, Joanna now is teaching others nationwide at basket weav- Neighbors photo by Dawn Ummel Joanna Schanz is continuing the long tradition of Amana basketmakers. She grows many of her materials and uses the old techniques.

Joanna recently completed a book on the subject. CALLUS with your Ideas Neighbors 354-3254 or 1-800-332-5225 RivaJog ,54900 This energetic 50cc scooter will take you anywhere you need to go, and get you there with pizazz The Riva Jog is designed with your comfort in mind Responsive handling, smooth riding and very easy on fuel Electric start and automatic shifting mean no hassle, too Come in today and see how much fun a Riva Jog can be put down, especially after Philip passed away, she says. By Dawn Ummel moved to the Amanas in 1961 when she married Norman, who runs the Schanz Furniture and Refinishing Shop in South Amana. Joanna has done caning for the furniture Norman makes and splits her time between working in the furniture shop and weaving baskets. Recently she completed a book, "Willow Basketry of the Amana Colonies, which includes a history of basket weaving in the Amanas and instructions to make six baskets.

"This information just had to be ing conventions. Her periodic weekend classes in the Amanas begin with everyone hunting for wild willows and end two days later when students have finished their own baskets. "For me its a very relaxing activity. I can get lost in basket weaving, says Joanna, who picked up a fascination with craft work as a Camp Fire member and later as a leader. "Its an adventure sometimes to pick.

Youre out there, a part of nature. "As a Camp Fire leader I learned a lot. You make do with what you have or can find. Theres a lot of improvising. Joanna, a Cedar Rapids native, Heres how to address a letter to your Iowa senator or Iowa representative in the Legislature at Des Moines: Sen.

or Rep. John Doe Statehouse Des Moines, Iowa 5031 9 Sectional Chan I 0 Vi PRICE SALE LAST TWO WEEKS Sofa Steeper CUSTOM EXP When I first made them I kept them all. I was hoarding them away making them and piling them up. 99 Joanna Schanz PAZOUR MOTOR SPORTS 3303 16th Ave. S.W.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (319)364-2611 1539 Gilbert St (South of Hills Bank) (319)338-8909 Iowa City OPEN DAILY 9-8, 9-5; 12-4.