Area 4-H'ers entered everything from baked goods to photos, artwork, metal creations, flowers, vegetables, clothing items, poster, woodwork and more to be judged during the annual Poweshiek County 4-H Indoor Day on Saturday, July 9.
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Poweshiek County 4-H Clover Kids listen to judge Betsy Cranston during the Clover Kid Rabbit Show at the Poweshiek County Fair on Sunday, July 17. The Clover Kids program is for youngsters in first, second and third grades. They are allowed to show rabbits, poultry, sheep, goats and bottle calves at the county fair. While in Clover Kids, area youngsters earn participation ribbons and gain important skills that will help them with their animal and indoor projects once they enter 4-H starting in fourth grade.
Dubbed Grinnell's Hallmark Christmas event, the annual Jingle Bell Holiday kicks-off on Friday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy festive activities and promotions at a variety of businesses in the downtown district.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the public is invited to head to the Central Park stage for the opening ceremony, featuring a performance by dancers from Michelle’s Dance Academy performing their holiday dance routine. The Chamber is excited to partner with member business Aircute Studio to broadcast the kick-off through the Chamber’s Facebook page. Following the performance, the Central Park tree and park lighting will take place. See the related article on Central Park lighting in this issue. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Santa will be visiting with children at Grinnell State Bank and photos (available for purchase) will be taken by Cory Hall Photography. Carriage rides will be available downtown free of charge, with pick up and drop off at the northwest corner of Central Park starting at 5:30 p.m. Grinnell College will be offering a shuttle and carriage rides for college students that will pick-up and drop-off at the corner of 5th and Broad Street. This shuttle and carriage on-campus pick-up/drop-off location will be in front of the JRC. The Winter Farmers Market will be back again this year, with a variety of food and craft vendors setting up in the ballroom of Hotel Grinnell at 925 Park St. from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and again 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Winter Farmers Market is a Grinnell Farmers Market event sponsored by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell College and Hotel Grinnell. Punch Cards Shoppers will receive double punches on Chamber Holiday Punch Cards on all purchases made throughout the evening and on Saturday, Nov. 19. Punch cards can be picked up at participating retailers and, once completed, returned to the Grinnell Chamber office for a chance to win Grinnell Chamber Bucks. Jingle Bell Holiday is organized by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Grinnell College, Total Choice Shipping & Printing, Community 1st Credit Union, Grinnell State Bank, Windsor Manor, Blue n Gold Merchant Services, Grinnell Firestone, Hannah Warnell-Iowa Realty, and DJ Cox Entertainment with aerial coverage provided by Aircut Studio. More than 30 businesses and organizations will be hosting kid activities, crafts, refreshments, open houses and other activities during the evening. On Saturday, Oct. 8, Grinnell DAR Chapter members glaze bowls for the Empty Bowls project sponsored by the Grinnell Area Arts Council. Empty Bowls is and annual fundraiser for Grinnell's local food pantry, MICA. To honor the anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Oct. 11, 1890, chapters around the country engage in meaningful service projects in their communities each year. On Saturday, Oct. 8, members of Grinnell Chapter DAR glazed bowls for the Empty Bowls project sponsored by the Grinnell Area Arts Council. Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser for Grinnell's local food pantry, MICA. Bowls will be sold beginning at Grinnell's Jingle Bell Holiday celebration, Nov. 18. Grinnell Chapter members participating were Ann Bell, Nancy Bender, Gail Bonath, Jeanette Budding, Linda Hatch, Barb Lease, Barbara Jones, Jessica Meyer, Rita Mertens, Martha Voyles, and Marsha Wilson. Cecilia Knight from The Stew Ceramics Studio provided instruction and guidance. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. Any woman, 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. The Grinnell Chapter is named after Josiah B. Grinnell, the founder of the city of Grinnell. Members come from Grinnell, Newton, Montezuma and surrounding communities. For information about membership in DAR, contact Nancy Bender, registrar, 641-236-7065. Completed bowls done by members of the Grinnell DAR Chapter. Bowls will be sold beginning at Grinnell’s Jingle Bell Holiday Celebration on Friday, Nov. 18. Funds raised from the sale of the bowls goes to Grinnell’s local food pantry, MICA.
BGM Elementary hosting Veterans Day event The public is invited to join BGM Elementary School students and staff at a Veterans Day event on Friday, Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the elementary gym. Brooklyn Ruritan Club hosting Veterans Day supper The Brooklyn Ruritan Club is hosting an appreciation supper honoring area veterans and active service military families on Wednesday, Nov. 9 with a meet and greet at 6 p.m. followed by the meal at 6:30 p.m. at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center. For information, call 641-522-4464 or after 6 p.m. call 641-522-7052. Deep River American Legion Post 296 Auxiliary hosting supper The Deep River American Legion Unit 296 Auxiliary would like to invite you to our annual Veterans Day Supper and Program on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Deep River Community Center. The meal consists of hot beef sundaes, green beans, salads and desserts. The public is welcome to join the Auxiliary in honoring Deep River Veterans from Post 296. Please feel free to join in on the silent and live auction following supper. Grinnell Veterans Day Ceremony held at Elks Lodge The Grinnell American Legion and VFW is hosting a Veteran’s Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge and Hazelwood Cemetery. Grinnell Middle School Veterans Day Assembly All community Veterans are invited to attend the 6th annual Grinnell Middle School Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at 132 East St. South, Grinnell. Join us for a time of celebration and reflection featuring the music of the Grinnell Middle School Bands and Choirs and guest speaker James Kaup, U.S. Navy Veteran. A reception will follow in the GMS Library. Veterans are welcome to bring a guest. No RSVP necessary. Montezuma Schools hosting Veterans Day event In honor of all veterans, the public is invited to attend a Veterans Day event at the Montezuma High School gym on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The program includes several sixth graders doing a flag folding presentation. Montezuma American Legion hosting Veterans Day meal The Montezuma American Legion Post 169 and Auxiliary along with the VFW will be holding their annual Veterans Day Supper in the Montezuma Memorial Hall on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. to honor all Veterans. Ham and potatoes will be furnished and attendees are asked to bring a dish to share and their own table service. Speakers this year will be the seven Legion members who were part of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on Nov. 2. Girls and Boys State representatives will also speak. The VFW will have awards to present by Rachel Bru and the American Legion and Auxiliary will have award presentations as well as the “Fifth Grade Flag Essay Contest” from Mrs. Minner’s class. The public is invited to attend. Asset Building is a key component of Secretary Marcia L. Fudge’s Economic Justice agend HUD Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn and his regional leadership team visited Grinnell and met with Grinnell Housing Authority Executive Director, Susan Hiner, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to celebrate Grinnell Housing being selected as one of 18 public housing authorities to join the MTW (Moving to Work) Demonstration Program. Pictured from left, Bruce Ladd, deputy regional administrator, Kansas City; Steve Eggleston, field office director, HUD – State of Iowa; Ulysses “Deke” Clayborn, regional administrator, Kansas City; Susan Hiner, Grinnell Housing Authority Executive Director and Grinnell City Manager, Russ Behrens. HUD’s Region VII covers Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. Submitted photo The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced recently that the Grinnell Housing Authority is one of 18 public housing authorities (PHAs) to be selected to join the MTW (Moving to Work) Demonstration Program.
The announcement came on Tuesday, Sept. 27 when HUD announced the expansion of its Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program to include a new Asset Building cohort of 18 public housing authorities (PHAs), which includes Grinnell. First authorized by Congress in 1996, MTW is a demonstration that provides PHAs the opportunity to redefine how they operate by giving them the flexibility to try “outside the box” ideas that address local community needs in innovative ways. HUD Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn and his regional leadership team visited Grinnell and met with Grinnell Housing Authority Executive Director, Susan Hiner, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to celebrate this accomplishment. Under Hiner’s leadership, the GHA administers more than 160 HCVs (Housing Choice Vouchers) to area households, helping them access safe, sanitary and quality housing on the open market. “Meeting our community’s housing needs is a daily challenge but brings such a relief to the individuals and families when they receive a HCV,” noted Hiner, when asked about what being an MTW agency means to her. “In order to reduce the number of clients receiving vouchers it is important to work with them to break down barriers and achieve financial independence. The Moving to Work - Asset Building program for Poweshiek County will help people get an education, work with them to obtain employment, support them to understand financial responsibilities while improving their credit scores and see them accomplish independence as they move into their own homes.” With the addition of the 18 PHAs selected for this cohort, HUD will have added a total of 87 PHAs to the MTW Demonstration Program since January 2021. MTW PHAs are now in 40 states and the District of Columbia. This cohort is a key component of HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge’s economic justice agenda: Bridging the Wealth Gap. HUD will evaluate the asset building activities of these PHAs, especially their plans for encouraging the creation and growth of savings accounts and/or aims to build credit, through rent reporting, for assisted households. HUD will first call a community of practice of the selected agencies to discuss and develop these policies for implementation and evaluation. “What a tremendous day for the Grinnell Housing Authority. On behalf of our Office of Public and Indian Housing that works with you and your team on a daily basis, I want to say well-done,” said Regional Administrator Clayborn. “The work of this cohort and HUD’s economic justice agenda overall, is helping renters improve their credit scores, accessing bank accounts, and being able to save for the future. It is truly aimed at empowering you all to develop solutions that meet the specific needs of your community.” The 2022 BGM High School Homecoming Court are, from left, 1st Attendant Olivia DeGeeter; 1st Attendant Jacob Maurer; King David Kirkpatrick; Queen Karsyn Minnaert; 2nd Attendant Cooper Winter and 2nd Attendant Alliyah Hawkins. The crowing took place during a pep rally on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
Following is the voting locations in Poweshiek County:
2 · BMWJ Includes: Cities of Brooklyn, Hartwick, and Victor (the portion in Poweshiek County) Townships: Bear Creek, Jefferson, Madison, Warren Michael J. Manatt Community Center - 105 Jackson St.. Brooklyn, IA 52211 5 · CGWS Includes: City of Searsboro Townships: Chester, Grant, Sugar Creek, Washington Poweshiek County Fair 4-H Bldg., South End - 425 East St. S, Grinnell, IA 50112 3 · DRL Includes: Cities of Deep River and Guernsey Townships: Deep River, Lincoln Deep River Community Center - 701 Main St., Deep River, IA 52222 6 · Grinnell - 1st Ward Elks Lodge, West Side - 720 3rd Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112 7 · Grinnell - 2nd Ward Elks Lodge, East Side - 720 3rd Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112 8 · Grinnell - 3rd Ward Drake Library - Community Room - 930 Park St., Grinnell, IA 50112 9 · Grinnell - 4th Ward Poweshiek County Fair 4-H Building, North End - 425 East St. S, Grinnell, IA 50112 10 · JUPS Includes: Barnes City (the portion in Poweshiek County) Townships: Jackson, Pleasant, Scott, Union Poweshiek County Conservation Center - 4896 Stagecoach Rd., Montezuma, IA 50171 11 · Montezuma Includes: City of Montezuma Montezuma Public Library - 500 E. Main St., Montezuma, IA 50171 4 · MS Includes: City of Malcom Townships: Malcom, Sheridan Malcom Auditorium - 212 Main St., Malcom, IA 50157 Jennifer Stallman, Grinnell Community Greeter By J.O. Parker
A revitalized welcoming service has opened its doors and is now reaching out to new residents of Grinnell. Community Greetings, formerly called Warm Welcomes, re-opened its doors this summer and is now under the direction of Jennifer Stallman of Grinnell. The community greetings service started a number of years ago in Grinnell by Lori Morgan, a Pella Relator, who owns Warm Welcomes there. Stallman said Morgan recently sold the business to Bobbi Jo Wolfe of Grimes, who owns community greeting services in the Des Moines Metro, West Des Moines and numerous other communities such as Knoxville, Indianola, Boone, Ames, Winterset and Newton. Community Greetings was started in 1999. Wolfe was looking for a greeter and through Morgan, was given Stallman’s name as a possibility. “I was approached with the idea of becoming the greeter for Grinnell at the end of June,” said Stallman. “This was nowhere on my radar of things to do since I do own my own business, Medicap Pharmacy, where I work full-time and have a family.” After giving the idea of being a community greeter some thought, Stallman, who has called Grinnell home for 27-years, decided to take the challenge, saying “It is great fit for me.” As the Grinnell community greeter, Stallman reaches out to local businesses who provided business cards, brochures, businesses gifts such as a measuring tape or a toothbrush and toothpaste, a flyswatter, a coffee mug, a cutting board or a discount coupon, etc., which is then placed in a bag and given to new residents. The welcome community bag may also include info on local eating establishments, doctor’s offices, auto repair services, home improvement and other business to help new residents feel welcome When Stallman started on July 1, there were around 12 business participating in the Warm Welcomes outreach. Today, the number of businesses has climbed to around 34 under Community Greetings. “All the new residents I have visited with have just loved that we offer this service,” Stallman said. “They are so grateful to all the small businesses here in town that are a part of this bag. It really has made them feel welcomed into our community.” Stallman said the best part of being a community greeter is meeting and getting to know the new residents and making them feel welcome in Grinnell. Stallman says she does her best to sit down with the new residents and get to know them and talk about each business individually that is part of the welcome to Grinnell bag. “Sometimes, I can be at someone’s house for 20-25 minutes and sometimes it’s over an hour,” she said. “I love to find out where these people move from, if they have kids, if they have pets, what brought them to Grinnell. I have found it so interesting and I have absolutely loved it so far.” The welcome to Grinnell bag also includes a business card, email address and phone number to reach Stallman, should they have any questions about services in Grinnell. “I will do my best to answer any questions they may have,” she said. “I want everyone to feel welcome no matter their background or where they came from. That is my goal.” Stallman said she wants to help new residents find a way to get involved with the Grinnell community and to make it feel like home sooner than later. “On the flipside, this service is so important to our locally owned small businesses. I hate seeing businesses close due to financial reasons,” said Stallman. “I want to do everything I can to make sure our business community continues to grow.” Stallman also has a Facebook page under Grinnell Community Greetings where she posts updates and information about new businesses who participate in the community greetings outreach. She is always looking for businesses who want to participate in the community greetings outreach. So, if you ever know of someone who just moved to town, please feel free to reach out to me,” said Stallman. “Maybe a family member is moving to town, you are getting a new neighbor...whatever it may be.” Stallman can be reached at www.CommunityGreetings.com, Grinnellcommunitygreetings@gmail.comor by telephone at 641-990-7731. |
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