Does summer vacation have you longing for simpler times? You’re in luck! On Tuesday, July 11th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, the Madison County Historical Society invites you to take a step back in time to enjoy a warm summer evening like the Bevington family might have enjoyed theirs many years ago, in their grand home “on the hill” in Winterset.

The 1856 Bevington-Kaser House is the crown jewel of the Madison County Historical complex at 815 S. 2nd Avenue. Constructed by C.D. “Doc” Bevington, this property was a gift of June Kaser and Margaret Guye. It has been restored and furnished in Victorian richness.

“Days Gone By” is a FREE opportunity for Madison County citizens to take in the Bevington Mansion and grounds and participate in Victorian activities. There will be guides on hand to tell the Bevington family story during their 80 years of occupying the home. You can choose to play parlor games led by volunteers as you go through the house, or enjoy the live music played on the grand piano and antique organ. Light refreshments will be served out of the mansion’s summer kitchen.

On the lawn (weather permitting), traditional Victorian games will be available. Try your skills at bocce ball, croquet, and badminton. Leaders will be on hand to get you started. Be sure to walk within the walled herb garden and take in the Winterset views. If you would like to bring your own picnic supper and find a spot to enjoy it “on the hill,” please do!

Stroll the grounds to the Bevington’s limestone barn where the Museum’s collection of live chickens make their home. Peek into the “three-hole” privy (outhouse) where you can explain its purpose to the kids.

The Historical Society hopes you will explore these unique structures, all three of which have been placed on the National Historic Register. What an opportunity to go back over 160 years in time and learn more about the heritage of Winterset and Madison County. Don’t miss this FREE night to experience “History on the Hill.”

This Weekend

On Thursday, July 6 at 11:00 am, children of all ages are invited to meet a Blank Park Zoo representative and four furry friends. This educational and interactive program will teach children about the small changes we can make in our lives to make the world a better place for all creatures, great and small. It is free and open to the public.

The Madison County ISU Extension is offering a one hour SafeFood course for adults and youth who currently work or plan to work in a concession stand (such as at the county or state fair), and for those who donate food items. Two sessions of this free, one-hour course will be offered. The first is on Thursday, July 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and the second is Saturday, July 8 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Certificates will be provided to attendees who complete the course. Participants will learn about cleaning and sanitizing principles, health and hygiene, and temperature controls. The purpose of the program is to ensure food prepared away from home is done so safely, in a clean and sanitary environment, by workers who follow best practices. For more information and to register, please contact your local Madison County ISU Extension and Outreach office at stessmer@iastate.edu or 515-462-1001.

This Thursday’s Lawn Chair Night will be shifting to a new location for the last two concerts of the season, another great reason to visit the grounds of the Madison County Historical Museum. Food will be offered by the Winterset Lion’s Club at 6:30 pm, and the Community Band concert will begin at 7:00. During the concert’s intermission, entertainment will be provided by Rod Tostensen and Joleen Jorgensen.

Winterset Cidery is having Trivia Night this Thursday, July 6. The topic is Baby Boomer trivia, but everyone can play! Arrive around 7:00 to get something to drink and get settled in. Game starts at 7:30.

The Iowa is showing Wonder Woman and Cars 3 this weekend, at multiple times for your convenience!

The Winterset Art Center is offering a Parent/Child Creative Play Experience for kids of ages two and three on Friday morning, July 7th from 9:00 to 10:00 am. The staff will provide a variety of engaging activities for you and your child to experience together. This workshop will include a seek-and-find activity station and a shaving cream art station. They will also use feet and hands to create beautiful printed artwork. Be prepared to get a little messy and have a lot of fun! The class fee is $5 per child for art center members and $6 per child for non-members. Pre-registration is required, so please contact wintersetart2016@gmail.com to make sure space is still available and register your child. Also note that parents or guardians must remain with their children for this workshop.

The second “First Friday Concert” of the summer is scheduled for July 7th from 6:00 to 10:00 pm in Winterset City Park. Hosted by Faraway, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and Winterset Parks & Recreation Department, the evening’s entertainment, Matt Woods, will be sponsored by Lowe Chiropractic Clinic. Hot food will be available for sale by Rodell’s Smokehouse, as well as beer, wine coolers, and bottled water. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy.

Before the concert on July 7th, Winterset Parks & Recreation will be leading a 7, 14, or 21 mile bike ride on the sharrow routes in Winterset. The ride, which they’ve dubbed “BRAT” (Bike Ride Around Town), starts and ends in the Winterset City Park at 5:00. After your ride, stick around and enjoy Frist Friday Concert in the park. There is no fee for bike ride, and no admission fee for the concert.

The Madison County Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning from 8:00 am to Noon, through early October, on the Winterset courthouse square.

Winterset Dance & Ballet is offering an all-day intensive this Saturday, July 8th with several opportunities provided by guest teachers as listed below. Click here to register online, or go to www.wintersetdance.com for more information. Watch for more classes coming later this month!

The current patriotic Quilts of Valor display will be open at the Iowa Quilt Museum through July 9th, and then the museum will be closed on Monday, July 10th, for the hanging of a new exhibit: “Innovation Meets Tradition: Judy Martin Quilts.”

The Winterset Parks & Recreation Department hosts Yoga in the Park on several Saturday mornings in the summer, including this Saturday, July 8, as well as July 29 and August 12. No registration is required, simply bring a mat or towel and water bottle to the North Shelter for the session, which will go from 9:30-10:30 am. A fee of $2.00 can be paid to the instructor on site.

Don’t miss the Classic Car Show & Shine on the square in Winterset on Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00.

Coming Soon

Here’s another opportunity from Winterset Dance & Ballet, for Pre-K and Kindergarten students: “Be a Princess” Dance Camps!

An annual favorite, the Jester Puppets are coming to Winterset Library on Tuesday, July 11!

Travel journalist Bill Clevlen is coming to Winterset to present his book, 100 Things to Do in America Before You Die, at the Iowa Theater on July 13th at 7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. As I mentioned in last week’s post, Winterset is featured in the book! Written to inspire road trips across the country, complete with trivia questions to keep the passengers busy, 100 Things to Do in America Before You Die is a book that highlights the best our country has to offer, and not just the big things. It’s is a fun guide to understanding the complex fabric of the United States and the people that call it home, as well as a catalogue of uniquely American experiences. From sipping on southern sweet tea to standing where the Wright Brothers tested their first “flying machine,” each experience makes up an important piece of our American story. In it you’ll find an enlightening mix of history, entertainment, art, food, sports, and places to cross off your “selfie” bucket list: mountains, museums, fried chicken, small towns, important sights like the world’s tallest mailbox, and more.

The Winterset Art Center is offering a Flower Pounding Class with artist Maggie Howe on July 13th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Students will dye a canvas tote bag using flowers and leaves. Students will learn how to use rubber mallets to pound the leaves and flowers onto the canvas in a variety of patterns. All materials provided. Students will go home with a canvas tote bag and large cotton hankie/scarf. Ages 12 and up. $30 for Winterset Art Center members, $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Maggie Howe at 515-490-7801 to reserve your spot, or visit the Flower Pounding Event on Facebook for online registration links.

Our friends in St. Charles will be having their annual Old Settlers Celebration on July 14-15, and all the details can be found here. Cow Pie Bingo is scheduled for Saturday, the 15th at 6:30 pm!

And a Greenfield citizen asked me to pass along an open invitation to a Blackwood Brothers Quartet Gospel Concert being held at the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield on Saturday, July 15th at 7:00.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading The Winterset Citizen! All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of the following sponsors: