​         Get ready for a tropical trip gone hilariously wrong! BGM High School's 2025 school play, "Freaky Tiki" is a fast-paced comedy set to open on Friday, Nov. 14 -15, at the BGM Auditorium.
  Showtime is 7 p.m. both nights. Order tickets through BOUND on our BGM website: https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/bgm/tickets.
          Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults (both prices include the $0.90 service fee).
          Don't miss the chance to see the students of BGM bring this wild Hawaiian romp to life!
          The play is under the direction of Emily Daugherty and Julie Giblin as assistant director.
Show Synopsis
       The titular Wobbly Palms Resort prides itself on being the finest two-and-a-half-star resort in Hawaii. Unfortunately, pride doesn't pay the bills. The resort is losing money and will be forced to close for good unless the staff can impress a mystery guest who's evaluating the property for a possible purchase. The staff's mission is simple: make sure nothing goes wrong during the unknown guest’s stay.
          Easier said than done!
          The chaos begins when a guest Mr. Carlton (Emmit Albers), leaves a mysterious tiki statue with newbie desk clerk Blair (Maggie Manatt), and suddenly, everything starts to go wrong! Could the tiki be cursed?
The French chef, Maurice (Ryder Scott), discovers the star of his dinner special—a lobster—has escaped. An obsessive young man, Philip (Isaiah Williams), is determined to pull off the world’s most elaborate marriage proposal to Amanda (Kaylin Hatfield), but he loses the ring in a piranha-filled pond. And a temperamental opera singer, Valentina (Gracie Gerard), preparing for her comeback concert, loses her voice and has to resort to communicating through charades and a clown horn.
        The pandemonium culminates in a crazy chase scene between the butterfly-net-wielding Chef Maurice and Claude (Jackson Wiegand), the unusually large lobster.
        Under the demanding-yet-supportive eye of manager Elaine (Gwen McClenathan), and with the perky help of activities director Kiki (Daniela Pacheco), the staff—including superstitious housekeeper Nalani (Addy Hurst), clumsy bellhop Spencer (Tristan Taylor), and Blair - must scramble to keep the resort afloat. Joining the mayhem are a host of colorful characters, including quirky scientists (Hunter Hiner and Carter Malveaux), an array of eccentric club members, (Anna Miller, A’rhianna Hansen, Abigail Wadhams, Trinity Miller, Aleeah Eichhorn, Isabella Wadhams andRorie Montano) who will keep you laughing throughout this action packed comedy.
          Ryan Smith and Hailey Henry are working backstage.
       This hilarious comedy proves that sometimes bad luck is simply good luck in disguise. Don't miss the chance to see the students of BGM bring this wild Hawaiian romp to life!

       Grinnell FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe, left, is joined by members of the chapter's soils team, better known as the "The Silt Slayers" after they competed at state on Oct. 9 and advanced to the National FFA Land Judging competition in May 2026. They are Alyssa Peterson, Lauren Louden, William Schalmo sand Keaton Iverson.

      Originally they called themselves the "Dirty Dawgs," but their advisor was quick to call them "The Silt Slayers" after winning CDE (Career and Development Event) and South Central Districts and advancing to State. AND now, they have Advanced to the National FFA Land Judging competition in Oklahoma City in May. 
Also, a big congratulations to Keaton Iverson for finishing in the top 10 as the 10th Individual overall. Grinnell Homecoming Queen, Lauren Louden, was 13th overall. It was a long day of evaluating four pits and taking an exam, and then rushing back for the Grinnell Homecoming Parade and festivities! Fun Times!

​       Members of the Grinnell FFA Livestock Evaluation CDE team earned third place honors in the nation and a gold rating at the 2025 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 29 – 31. Team members are, from left: Maggie Dayton, Aden Wolfe, Kolton Kline and Tristan Graff.

​        The Grinnell FFA Chapter Livestock Judging team brought home third place honors and a gold rating at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. The team consisted of Kolton Kline, Tristan Graff, Maggie Dayton and Aden Wolfe.
         Kline was fifth high individual overall, and Graff was ninth high individual overall. Grinnell was top team in beef, seventh team in sheep/goats, and ninth team in swine. Dayton was high individual in beef and Wolfe was high set in sheep reasons.
       The National FFA Livestock CDE is a competitive event that tests the student's ability to select and evaluate livestock. Event components include eight evaluation classes of beef, sheep, swine, and goats; oral placement reasons on four classes; and a written exam on livestock production. A team activity, utilizing reproductive and marketing information, demonstrates the teams’ livestock selection ability. Each team in the event competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.
        “This group’s dedication, teamwork and countless hours of hard work truly paid off, said Grinnell FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. “I could not be prouder of the way they represented Grinnell and the State of Iowa.”

     Poweshiek County 4-H families are invited to come celebrate the many accomplishments at an awards gathering on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Grinnell Co-op Agronomy Center at 1128 Pinder Ave. Join Poweshiek County's 4-H County Youth Council for an evening of celebration, games and great food, all planned by county youth leaders. Amazing 4-H members, volunteers, clubs and partners who have made this year on to remember will be recognized.
Potluck Details:
      Please bring a side dish or dessert to share! Pulled pork, buns, drinks, and tableware will be provided.
Please email [email protected] to RSVP by November 18th. This will help us get an accurate food count!
      Come celebrate another incredible year of learning, leadership, and 4-H spirit!

​        The Grinnell High School Theatre presents , “Arsenic and Old Lace,” for three performances, Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 in the GHS Auditorium.
        Showtime is 7 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday night shows and 2 p.m. for the Sunday show.
The play is under the direction of Holly and Adam Kelley-Chown with Ken Phipps serving as the technical director.
      Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door and can be purchased online using the barcode on the production flyer.
Show Synopsis
       “Arsenic and Old Lace” is a dark comedy about a drama critic, Mortimer Brewster, who discovers his two sweet, elderly aunts, Abby and Martha, have been murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with elderberry wine. The situation is complicated by the arrival of Mortimer's homicidal brother, Jonathan, and the discovery of more bodies, forcing Mortimer to figure out how to handle his family's murderous "charity."
Cast
       Peyton Stevenson – Abby; Jack Hinkle – Rev Dr. Harper; Brennen Rasmussen – Teddy; Penelope Fennell – Officer Brophy; Lanie Kaup – Officer Klein; Elisabeth Kelley-Chown – Martha; Mallorie Arlint – Elaine; Ben Davis – Mortimer; Trycer Arend – Mr. Gibbs; Holden Smith – Jonathan; Joey Junge – Einstein; France Pedersen – Officer O’Hara; Thea Sherman – Lieutenant Rooney; and Jonathan Solomon – Mr. Witherspoon.
Stage Crew
     Assistant Technical Director: Cameron Corey; Stage Manager: Diane Boyd; Assistant Stage Managers: Lucy Turley, Lilly Madren; Front of House/Publicity: Eli Boyd; Costumes Co-Chiefs: River Haenfler, Tab Fabor; Costumes Crew: Elliot Squire, Jackson Hutchinson; Prop Chief: Izzy Boyer; Props Crew: Belle Dewy, Nora Pedersen, Slane McCue; Hair/Makeup Chief: Lucy Skouson; Hair/Makeup: Maniyah Coomer,  Serafina Light; Light Crew Chief: Alex Vogt; Light Crew: Ty Max Bartlett; Sound Crew Chief: Liam Lease; Sound Crew: Ty McIntyre, Sloan McDonough; Set Construction: Aria Burrell, Delena Ekens.

​Happy Halloween Grinnell!
       The ghosts, goblins, and ghouls of Grinnell will be roaming the streets on Friday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. in search of candy and glory. Flip your porch light on if you're giving the goods, keep it off if you don't want visitors. Drivers, be super-vigilant in avoiding tiny superheroes. Parents, remind your little monsters to be careful crossing the streets.
        Stay safe, have a hauntingly good time, and may your candy haul be legendary.