Prairie Jewel Farm logo for the new pumpkin patch business opening on Saturday, Oct. 3 in rural Grinnell. The business is being started to give local and area families a place to come, have fun and build fall traditions. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker

         A new rural Grinnell business focused on providing a place for families and children to gather and enjoy building their own seasonal fall traditions centered around agriculture opens its doors on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Prairie Jewel Farm, located at 598 400th Ave., (on the Farmhand Road), was founded by  Tessa (Roland) Perrin and family.
        The new business offers pumpkins, mums, and other fall items for sale. In addition, other family-friendly activities will be available for families and children. They are as follows:
Core Services
         Tour a field/hay rack ride
         Take home your own pumpkin/fruit/vegetable
          See/touch actual farm equipment
          Engage in creative play through various farm yard opportunities, including an obstacle course
          Explore sensory play in a corn pit (Iit’s like a huge sand pit with corn instead)
          Safe farm animal interactions/educational experiences (the farm features a miniature pony, bunnies and goats)
           Provide opportunities for family photos and for family traditions to be started
           Visit an on-site market for seasonal décor and goods
From idea to reality
          Tessa is a 2007 graduate of Grinnell High School. She holds a BA in business and a minor in economics from the University of Northern Iowa, later going on to become a registered nurse.
           After graduating from UNI, Tessa moved to Buffalo, N.Y. where she met her husband, J.D.
          The couple raised and raced Standard Bred Horses (A Roland family tradition) in New York and have two daughters, ages 6 and 9.
         While visiting family in Grinnell a couple years ago, Tessa saw an opportunity to open a pumpkin patch and to provide a place for families to gather in the fall and enjoy building traditions together.
         Visiting the local pumpkin patch in Grinnell was a tradition that Tessa has fond memories of growing up, and she wanted other families to have the same opportunity.
         A year later, Tessa realized that opportunity was still available. She started researching the idea and got the ball rolling this year. It’s a business that she hopes to grow over time.
          The couple built a new home and moved to rural Grinnell in June 2026.
      “I want to raise my family here,” she said of coming home to Grinnell. “We are eager to immerse ourselves in the community.”
         Being the first year, the pumpkin patch will feature tents and temporary spaces on the grounds while the business gets established. Tessa calls it a pop up business.
          Tessa cautioned that everything is outdoors in a hayfield. “So wear your boots,” she said.
          As for the future, Tessa said the plan is to create a space where families have the opportunity to see and learn about some of the farm components that are so vital to Grinnell and area communities while enjoying fun fall traditions.
          The business will be open the following dates from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Oct. 3 - 4, Oct. 10 -11, Oct. 17 -18, Oct. 24 – 25 and Oct. 31.
          There will be a small admission fee charged to visit the outdoor event.
          For more information, contact Tessa Perrin at: [email protected].

By J.O. Parker
 
      “Bison Brave: Facing the Storm,” a new children’s book by Bethany Kriegel, a rural Malcom Christian author and mother of four, is a story about finding strength, trusting yourself, and learning that real bravery means facing challenges head-on.
         The book was released in April and is the second book by Kriegel, who released “Buffalo in the Bucket” in June 2025.
         Her first children’s book was born out of a real life experience of a daring skid loader rescue and late-night bottle feedings of a baby bison calf that had been abandoned by its mama.
       The main character in “Bison Brave” is Bella, a bison calf who hears thunder rolling across the open prairie, knowing there is a storm on the horizon.
         “We run toward the storm,” Bella’s daddy tells the young calf in the book.
While many animals instinctively run away, Bella’s herd charges straight in to the storm, just as bison always do.
         “Now, it’s Bella’s moment to discover if she has the courage to follow,” said Kriegel.
As with her first book, Kriegel used AI to create images for the book and then edited them using computer software.
        “I love to prove to myself that I can do anything,” said Kriegel. “So writing a book, and now two books, just makes me feel like nothing is too big or too hard. Of course, Amazon self-publishing (KDP) makes this easier.”
       “Don’t get me wrong, though, that is still a lot of work and patience,” noted Kriegel. “AI does not get it right on the first (or sometimes even on the 10th) try.” 
         The new book is 25 pages and it is geared towards children ages 2 – 12.
          It took Kriegel about four months to write and create the new book.
      “We all have a story to tell,” said Kriegel. “Regardless of your profession or how you live your life, experiences and knowledge that you have are unique to you,” added Kriegel. “I thought of the first book I wrote, and while sharing that book with young readers, I found myself speaking to them in a way that I hope brings about stories in their lives that they can someday put to paper. I guess in short, I was inspired to write another book based on what I was guiding other people to do. Bison are unique. My experiences are unique. The majority of the population will never have the opportunity to raise these amazing animals, so it is up to us to get these stories out there.”
         When asked, Kriegel said she is open to talk about her books with libraries and book clubs.
       The new book is available on Amazon for $12.75 and is also available at Sunset Hills Bison Ranch self-serve onsite retail store that is open to the public 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
Sunset Hills Bison Ranch and Lodging
         Sunset Hills Bison Ranch was founded in August 2020. Kriegel and her husband, Karl, and his brother, Neal, and parents, Don and Christy, own the ranch together.
          “We currently have more than 50 head of bison,” noted Kriegel. “Our lodging consists of a year round cabin and two glamping covered wagons. We also have unique spaces like our Teepee used for fire pit and gatherings as well as our actual 1880s covered wagon.”
           The annual annual National Bison Day event at the ranch, located at 1307 400th Ave. in Malcom, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
           For more information on Sunset Hills Bison Ranch, visit https://www.sunsethills.life.

      Shown is the front cover of a new children’s book “Bison Brave” by rural Malcom Christian author, Bethany Kriegel. This is the second children’s book that Kriegel has published about bison using AI to help with the design and layout. Kriegel, her husband, Karl, and family own Sunset Hills Bison Ranch north of Malcom. Submitted photo.

​       Members of the Grinnell High School Homecoming Court are excited about all the activities of Homecoming week, Sept. 28 – Oct. 2. Pictured are, top to bottom, from left: Lincoln Stensrud, Mallorie Arlint, Aaden Hoopes, Kaitlyn Smith, Beni Kiphanzu, Piper Madren, Aiden Wolfe, Lucy Lindberg, Noah Gosselink and Cadence Cummings. A Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during a community pep rally in Central Park on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Tigers play Oskaloosa at home on Friday, Oct. 2 with the game kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Lindsey Peck.

​        BGM seniors are pumped and ready for Homecoming week Sept. 28 – Oct. 2. Pictured are, from left: Sadie Klein, Graydon Arens, Amiah Lint, Esben Hernandez, Ana Coleman, Reed Slater, Kinze Lacaeyse, Jacksyn, Bullers, Hunter Hodina, Shyla VanNevel, Cristian Martinez and Shae Keller. The BGM Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned on Wednesday, Sept. 30 during a pep rally at the school that gets underway at 7 p.m. The pep rally follows the town homecoming parade and Bear Backers meal. The Bears tackle Earlham at home on Friday, Oct. 2 with kickoff at 7 p.m. Photo by Jamie Thompson.

BGM Homecoming Parade Weather Update Announcement
Due to inclement weather, we are moving this evening’s Homecoming Parade indoors to the BGM High School Auditorium.
Here’s the updated plan:
Parade Entrants: Please meet in the High School Gym at 5 p.m.
Parade Begins: Entrants will be announced and will walk across the auditorium stage starting at 5:30 p.m.
Community Members & Parade Attendees: Please come directly to the auditorium and find a seat to enjoy the Homecoming festivities.
Overflow Seating: Additional seating will be available in the High School Cafeteria.
IMPORTANT: There will be NO CANDY THROWN during the indoor parade.
Please also remember that NO FOOD OR DRINK allowed in the auditorium.
While the weather may have changed our plans, we’re still excited to celebrate Homecoming with our students, families, and Bear community! 🐻
We’ll see you tonight at 5:30 p.m.!

      Congratulations to the Grinnell FFA Soils Team, aka Mud Daubers, for being named Reserve Champions at the South Central FFA District Soils Contest held on Saturday, Sept. 26. Three individuals finished in the Top 10 - Micah Loomis, 3rd, Aubrey Flander, 6th, Garrett Pirkl, 8th. Pictured are, from left: Aubrey Flander, Garrett Pirkl, Jacob Bosier, Micah Loomis along with a unnamed staff member with the South Central FFA District Soils Contest.

         Country Music star Austin Meade will be performing in Barnes City on Saturday, Sept. 26

By J.O. Parker
 
        The Longhorn Saloon in the town of Barnes City, population 156, is the place to be for some downhome good country music and cold refreshments on Saturday, Sept. 26.
      Siraj Thomason, owner of the local restaurant and bar, is hosting a country music concert featuring headliner act Austin Meade and two other performers.
        Meade, a Texas-born artist and son of a Baptist preacher who took his son to rock concerts, gained his first experience playing guitar in the church when his father handed him an acoustic guitar and had him learn songs for the church band which at the time lacked a guitarist.
        He first made a name for himself as an artist with music that blended vintage hard rock and heartland rock influences with Americana-styled songcraft with such songs as “Loser Mentality,” “Slim Pickins,” ‘Rio Grande,” “Varsity Type,” “Red Roof Estates,” “Happier Alone,” “Violation Delight,” “Rain Dancin’,” “Dial Tone,” and “Queen of the Letdown.”
          Meade has five studio albums, three EPs and a host of singles.
        The outdoor concert is being held just north of the Longhorn Saloon. Parking will be east of the Longhorn and the Co-op in Barnes City, if needed.
         The evening event gets underway at 5 p.m. with opening act Gage Cowart followed by the Adam Keith Band.
        Cowart, an Alabama native, is a Red Dirt country artist blending traditional country storytelling, Southern rock energy, and the independent spirit of today’s Red Dirt movement. Drawing from years spent in songwriting, life on the road, and the communities that shaped him, Cowart writes songs rooted in real people, hard work, and Southern culture.
      Whether performing solo acoustic or with a full band, Cowart delivers a live show built on honest songwriting, audience connection, and songs that resonate long after the last note.
        His songs feature such hits as “What I Wouldn’t Give,” “Strings,” “Life Passes You By,” “Raisin’ You,” “Home,” “Trot Lines,” “Brighter Side of Better Days,” “Grandpa’s Story,” and “Sun Comes Back Around.”
          Adam Keith, who has previously performed at the Longhorn, is an up-an-coming country music singer and high-energy live performer from Onslow, Iowa who performs regionally with the Adam Keith Band. They are known for their rough-cut country music featuring energetic live performance, local radio appearances and festival or rodeo sets such as the Dubuque County Fair and Edgewood Pro Rodeo. Other performance venues include Fiesta Friday LA Hacienda in Monticello, Solon Beef Days, Whiskey River Grill in Palo, Bobbers Grill in North Liberty, Dirty Ernie’s in Farley, Center Point Pork Days in Center Point and at the Preston Fireman’s Celebration in Preston
           Keith, a songwriter, has written such hits as “Chasing the Sun.” He and his band have opened for major touring country artists such as Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Parmalee and Granger Smith.
            Food and drinks will be available at the Longhorn Saloon and at Kikis Tacos Food Truck at the event.
   Tickets are $25 and you can pay at the door or go online to get tickets at: https://events.ticketleap.com/.../longhorn.../austin-meade
           “I’m really excited to have them come and play, and I really hope you are as well,” said Thomason. “I’m hoping for good weather and a good show.”

       Adam Keith and band perform at Corn Country Fest. Keith will join Austin Meade and Gage Cowart at the Longhorn Saloon concert in Barnes City on Sept. 26.