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.

       Two BGM Bears are leading the state in tackles after three games. Reed Slater is tops in the state with 32 tackles while Zachary Clayton has 30.5 tackles on the 2026 season. Congrats to these young men.

       A Community Baby Shower in Grinnell is being hosted by Count the Kicks, with support from UnityPoint Health.
    The event will be held at Hotel Grinnell at 925 Park St. from 10 a.m.-  12 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required.The Count the Kicks Community Baby Shower is designed to celebrate expectant parents in the Grinnell community and surrounding areas, and connect families with helpful resources and tools for a healthy pregnancy and birth. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about pregnancy and newborn resources, including how to monitor baby’s movements through the Count the Kicks program.
    We will have giveaways, food and resources for expectant parents. I'm attaching a graphic and flyer with event details.

       The Historic U.S. Route 6 Iowa Association is hosting the 18th Annual River to River Retro Road Trip on Friday, Sept.18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
      The two-day journey begins Friday morning in Davenport and follows Historic U.S. Highway 6 across Iowa, concluding Saturday afternoon with the 100 Block Car Show in Council Bluffs. Approximately 30–50 vehicles and 70–100 participants are expected to take part.
        This year’s trip will feature stops at small businesses, restaurants, museums, historic sites and community attractions along the route. Scheduled highlights include Durant, Tiffin, the Jasper County Museum in Newton, the Beaverdale Fall Festival in Des Moines, Redfield, the White Pole Road communities and the Pottawattamie County Freedom Rock in Oakland.
       The ride is not stopping in Grinnell this year, but will roll through town around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.
       A Welcome to Davenport gathering will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Freight House Farmers Market, 421 W. River Drive in Davenport. Participants and members of the public are invited to meet the association’s board, visit with fellow travelers and enjoy the businesses in the Freight House area.
       The River to River Retro Road Trip celebrates the history, communities and businesses that make Historic U.S. Highway 6 special. The event also supports the association’s mission to preserve and promote the historic highway, encourage tourism and help maintain the connection between Iowa’s small towns.
    Residents are encouraged to welcome the travelers as they pass through their communities and to follow the Historic U.S. Route 6 Iowa Association on social media for updates from the road.
        For event information and registration, visit:
http://usroute6iowa.org/retro-road-trip-registration-form/

      From the Grinnell Tiger Football Club - A huge shoutout to Josh Ringler for putting in the work in the backfield this season—every run shows pure grit and explosion! Keep setting the tone and driving this offense forward, #28! Also, we need to give credit to the O-Line for creating the lanes for JR!