Sunset Hills Bison Ranch near Malcom is hosting its fourth annual National Bison Day event on Nov. 411/2/2023 By J.O. Parker
Sunset Hills Bison Ranch near Malcom is hosting its fourth annual National Bison Day event to celebrate our nation’s mammal, the Bison. The event, which is slated to run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, includes a vendor fair, hay rack rides and the opportunity to check out the herd of 30 plus bison. “Bring your aging pumpkins (non-painted or treated) to feed the bison,” said Bethany Kriegel, co-owner of the bison ranch. “You can bring your chemically treated or painted pumpkins and we will dispose of them as well.” Sunset Hills Bison Ranch is located at 1307 400 Ave., just north of Malcom and about one mile on gravel. Off-site parking will be available near the ranch for $5 per vehicle. Handicap parking is available at the ranch. Signs will be posted directing the way to parking. Admission to the event is free. By popular demand, ranch staff will be serving bison burgers with condiments, pickles and chips. Lean bison meat will also be offered for sale, so bring a cooler. The indoor vendor fair currently has 12 vendors selling everything from candy to BBQ sauce and clothing. There are also several outdoor vendors on location. Fireside Winery from Williamsburg will be offering wine tasting from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the cabin. The glamping covered wagons will also be open for viewing as well. GoServe Global missionary outreach will be on hand sharing about grain bin homes manufactured in Iowa and shipped to poverty stricken areas around the world. Donations to the outreach will be accepted. A local bluegrass band, The GrassHoppers, will be performing at the event. Sunset Hills Bison Ranch was founded in August 2020 by Karl and Bethany Kriegel with eight yearlings and a 20-year-old cow. “That cow is 23-years-old and had a baby in April,” said Bethany. “The ranch currently has 38 bison ranging from two-weeks-old to 23-years-old.” Karl’s parents, Don and Christy Kriegel, and brother, Neal, are also involved in the bison operation. Bethany said they love the bison and got into the business as a way to diversify their farming operation. The Kriegel family raises corn and soybeans and Karl is the owner of KDK Crop Services, a custom fertilizer and chemical application company. In 2021, the Kriegel family purchased a fully-functional cabin and located it on the farm. Two years later, the family purchased two Conestoga glamping covered wagons. “The glamping wagons have heat with a king bed, bunk beds, coffee maker, refrigerator and microwave all under a canvas cover,” said Bethany. “Each wagon has its own private bathroom and shower a short walk away.” There is also a fire pit (for the cool nights) and a cowboy pool (large stock tank) for those hot days. The cabin and glamping wagons are available for rent. When asked about hosting this event, Bethany said the purpose is to give the bison exposure. “The bison is our national mammal,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize that.” Sunset Hills Bison Ranch staff host area school groups, leadership groups and nursing home residents who come to check out the bison. The family also gives school presentations. “We’ve even had the Iowa History on the Move Museum here for National Bison Day in 2021,” said Bethany. Saturday’s event is rain or shine. For more information on Sunset Hills Bison Ranch, check them out on Facebook or their website, sunsethills.life. “Come shop, play and eat,” said Bethany.
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Flying Solo, a Des Moines-based band, will be belting out the tunes at the Elks BPO Lodge in Grinnell from 7 – 10 p.m. during the American Brawn Veterans Appreciation supper and event on Saturday, Nov. 4. The band performs rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, classic rock and new and old country. The band and a round of competitive games are open to the veterans and their guests and the general public. By J.O. Parker
A veterans appreciation supper sponsored by the American Brawn Charity is slated for Saturday, Nov. 4 in Grinnell. The veterans-only supper catered by Hy-Vee is being held at the former Relish location at 834 Park St., Grinnell. Social hour and serving gets underway at 4 p.m. Following the meal, veterans and their guests are welcome along with the general public to meet at the Grinnell Elks BPO Lodge at 720 3rd Ave. for a round of competitive games and an auction beginning at 5 p.m. There is a $5 charge to participate in the games. Flying Solo, a Des Moines-based band, will be belting out the tunes from 7 – 10 p.m. The games and music are open to both veterans and the general public. American Brawn is a Grinnell-based outreach centered around providing funding and support for local emergency responders and veterans. It was founded in 2017 by Kent Reed. Reed, a representative and branch coordinator with Nagle Signs, founded the fundraising organization following a serious motorcycle accident in the Altoona area on June 2, 2016, that left him with three skull fractures and a brain bleed “My life was saved by first responders who got to the scene and stopped the bleeding and got me to the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room (ER) where they saved my life,” he said. To complicate matters, while in the ER, Reed had a seizure and developed a heart flutter as a result of the accident. “Overall, I spent eight days in the ICU at Mercy,” noted Reed. “I left the hospital using a walker because of vertigo and general instability from the brain injury.” Reed spent six months off work and was unable to drive while recovering from the accident. “I came back better than before,” he said. “Since then, I have been doing everything I can (to make a difference) with the rest of my life that God has given me to live.” While recovering, Reed decided to pay back and pay forward for what the first responders did for him and what the veterans have always done to keep us free and safe. The American Brawn Charity is under the direction of Reed and an eight-member advisory board, who Reed said, “Keeps him in line.” “The way we help the first responders is providing grants to purchase life-saving equipment,” said Reed. “Thus far, we have raised almost $80,000.” On Sept. 16, American Brawn hosted a First Responders appreciation event at the Grinnell Hy-Vee, where several first responders brought eight different emergency vehicles for area youth and families to see up close first hand and learn about the services they offer and personally meet and thank first responders. “Our mission is saving lives through raising awareness and prevention of suicide amongst first responders and veterans,” noted Reed. This Saturday’s event is to show our appreciation for veterans by providing a free supper. RSVPs are required for the meal. No reservations are needed for the competitive games and to hear the band. “Personal and family development professionals will be on hand for veterans only, with brief presentations on reducing stress, strain, and worries in all our lives,” said Reed. To RSVP for the meal, text or email Reed at 319-231-2382 or kentreed964@gmail.com. For more information on the work the American Brawn Charity does, visit them on Facebook or check out the organization’s website at www.americanbrawn.us. “The thing I am most proud of is our links page on the website,” said Reed. “It has lots of mental wellness resources for anyone to view.” Those who wish to make a donation to the work of American Brawn can visit the website where you will find a donation button on the home page. A modified version of the final scene (to include dual casts), where the heroes of Sherwood Forest have successfully pinned the villains after a thrilling fight sequence in Ken Ludwig’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood,” are, from left: Kenzie Kohl, Reece Madren, Billy Lopatto, Maggie Kaup, Joel Dressler, Owen Shepardson, Roman Mackenzie, Peyton Stevenson, Jeslyn Voogd, Elisabeth Kelley-Chown, Frances Pedersen, Brennen Rasmussen. Performances will be Nov. 2 - 4 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Grinnell High School Auditorium. The Grinnell High School Curtain Club and Thespians present Ken Ludwig’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood,” Nov. 2 – 5. Performances will be Nov. 2 - 4 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Grinnell High School Auditorium.
Show Synopsis Ken Ludwig’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” is a story about fighting for what your conscience requires. The story begins with a young Robin Hood who believes in nothing but a good time, then comes face to face with the kind of greed and inhumanity that won’t let him sleep at night. Suddenly he’s an outlaw hiding in Sherwood Forest where he joins up with a band of followers including the spirited Friar Tuck, steadfast Little John, masterfully skilled Maid Marian Fitzwalter, and Deorwynn--the feisty daughter of Much the Miller. Will these heroes out-number, out-shoot, and out-smart the villainous Prince John, the arrogant Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham? Cast Robin Hood – Green – Billy Lopatto; Robin Hood – Red – Jeslyn Voogd; Friar Tuck – Reece Madren; Marian Fitzwalter – Green – Maggie Kaup; Marian Fitzwalter – Red – Peyton Stevenson; Little John – Toby Crandall; Deorwynn Miller – Green – Elisabeth Kelley-Chown; Deorwynn Miller – Red –Frances Pedersen; Sir Guy of Gibourne – Green – Joel Dressler; Sir Guy of Gisbourne – Red – Roman Mackenzie; Sheriff of Nottingham - Owen Shepardson; Prince John/King Richard – William Kelley-Chown; Forester / Bladen / Much / Simon – Thea Sherman; Forester / Midwife / Friend / Margery / Interpreter – Kenzie Kohl; Forester / Robert / Friend/ Father Goph – Simeon Key; Forester /Roderick / Friend / Bajka / Jacques / Mateo / Matthias – Penelope Fennell; Forester / Heloise / Alize / Friend / Gasper / Etienne / Diego / Maximilian – Kat Neville. Green cast members will perform Thursday and Sunday; red cast members will perform Friday and Saturday; undesignated cast members will perform every day. Stage Crew Stage Manager – Cameron Thompson; Assistant Stage Manager – Diane Boyd; Assistant Stage Manager – Lucy Turley; Head Costume Crew – Ketsia Kiphanzu; Costumes Crew – Lucy Skouson; Costume Crew – Slane McCue; Costume Crew – River Haenfler; Head Hair / Makeup Crew – Catherine Schubert; Assistant Head Hair / Makeup Crew – Kaia Chang Roper; Hair / Makeup Crew – River Haenfler; Hair / Makeup Crew – Nicole Beyer; Head Lighting Crew – Liam Leasure; Props Crew – Isadora Boyer; Props Crew – Belle Dewey; Props Crew – Jolene Dostal; Co-Head Audio Crew – Ian Durr; Co-Head Audio Crew – Joel Dressler; Audio Crew – Ty Mcintyre; Audio Crew – Myles Manley; Head Front of House Crew – Fern Mieuwsma; Set Construction – Andrew Solomon; Set Construction – Christian Hoth; Director – Kate Baumgartner; Technical Director – Kenneth Phipps. Tickets Ken Ludwig's “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at vancoevents.com/CBOZ and at the door. |
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