After several weeks where change was happening so fast it made our heads spin, then another few weeks of what felt like living in suspended animation, things are now starting to change again. On Monday, Governor Reynolds announced the first round of ‘re-openings’ which includes retail locations and restaurants among a few others.
What does that mean for Winterset?
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce continues to be the ‘go-to’ source related to our business community. Earlier this week they published an updated list of restaurants including those that are now offering some in-person dining.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reminds us that it’s still important to practice social distancing if we’re out shopping or dining.
Great People doing Great Things
It’s never hard to find positive news in Winterset. Our citizens are constantly doing wonderful acts for one another, and we’re pleased that it’s more true than ever right now. One local family made 80 t-shirt bags to be used for the Paw Pantry. Families and businesses all around the town continue to brighten their doors and windows with encouraging messages for passers-by.
The “Husky Helpers” Fundraiser that we told you about last week raised over $14,000. Tomorrow (May 2nd) the Winterset Girls Cross Country team will be distributing food packages.
We will be distributing the bags Saturday, May 2, from 1-4 in the High School parking lots north of the football field. Each bag will include tuna, chicken, pasta, spaghetti sauce, oranges, green beans, peanut butter, granola bars, 5 lbs of potatoes, 2 dozen eggs and a Fareway gift card to be used for meat or dairy products. We will have 250 portions to be distributed. If we have more than 250 people we will have a few gift cards to handout. If we have fewer than that, the extra items will be given to local food banks.Enter off of 4th Ave and proceed west where the WHS Cross Country girls will put the items into your trunk. Please open your trunk prior to reaching the girls. Any resident of Madison County is welcome to take advantage of this opportunity.Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who donated to this project. Your generosity makes my heart smile!! Winterset and Madison county residents never ceases to amaze me.God Bless, Tim & Jacque Mohs
For the past several weeks, we’ve been extolling the virtues of the teachers, staff and administrators at WCSD for all of their amazing efforts to keep engaging and encouraging their students. That’s all still going strong and WCSD keeps meeting each challenge with creativity and calm. For example, how to get personal belonging back in the hands of all of the students and textbooks back in the classrooms. They’ve made a plan and they’re getting it done!
Other teachers are finding creative ways to reach their students, too. Nicole Eckles, owner and lead instructor at Winterset Ballet & Dance has been holding online classes with her dancers for several weeks. Before the COVID-19 closures swept the state, the dancers were preparing for their production of Rio which was to be held later this month. We’re sure they’re holding on to the hope that they will get to perform the ballet someday, and in the meantime, Nicole is keeping them moving!
Community Updates
Madison County Conservation Board
The good people of the Madison County Conservation Board continue to educate and enrich, even though all formal programming is suspended. While you’re out enjoying nature, see if you can find these native Spring wildflowers.
Find a version that you can download and print HERE.
Summer Program registration
Registrations are also open for summer programs through the Conservation Board—there are opportunities for children from age three to fifteen. You can find all of the details and get your child signed up online. Email naturalist@madisoncountyparks.org if you have any questions.
Winterset Parks & Recreation
You might find some of the wildflowers you’re looking for in our city parks, as well as the county ones. The parks are open, although playgrounds and restroom facilities are not.
The WPRD, with co-sponsor Lumberjack Designs, is offering a Virtual Cabin Fever 5K. Participants may walk or run the 5K all at once or break it up over different times to complete the entire distance. Keep track of the time is takes to complete the 5K. This may be completed outside, inside or on a treadmill. Once completed and time sent in you will receive an event t-shirt for finishing, Fee is $15.00. Registration ends on May 6. 5K must be completed with time submitted by May 20th.
Step 1. Register online at wprd.activityreg.com
Step 2. Run or walk a 5K (3.1 miles)
Step 3. Record your time and submit it by email to davisr@cwmu.net with Cabin Fever in the subject line.
Step 4. Wear your finishers t-shirt with pride
Winterset Rotary
Virtual Virus Victory Race
The Winterset Rotary Club is also offering a non-traditional race opportunity—the Virtual Virus Victory Race, a 5K walk/run, 25K bike. Register online, run or bike, take a pic & report your time by May 25th. Each entry gets a t-shirt & medal and proceeds will go to support Madison County & Central Iowa Food Banks.
The Iowa Theater
Theater At Home Concessions • May 8th
Last Friday, the Iowa Theater helped over 100 families up their ‘family movie night’ game with real movie-theater popcorn and snacks. They’ll be serving again NEXT Friday, May 8th. Order online by May 7th (see below for details)
Three bundles are available:
Bundle A – 20 cups (popped) of our buttery popcorn / $15
Bundle B – 20 cups (popped) of our buttery popcorn and a variety pack of two candies / $20
Bundle C – 20 cups (popped) of our butter popcorn, a variety pack of two candies, and a variety pack of four beers / $35
Online purchases only – no cash and no walk up orders accepted at this time. Orders will be accepted until 5PM on Thursday, May 7. Please note that we may run out of particular candies or beer, and will allow selections on a first come, first served basis!
For pickup: select your pick up time and come to the Iowa Theater at that time. Please be prompt but also prepared to stand six feet apart if there is a short line. Our front doors will be a pop up pick up window – we’ll hand over the goodies, let you choose your candy and beer if you choose Bundle B or C and you’ll be on your way. And yes, we’ll provide you with popcorn tubs!
Madison County Historical Museum
In an effort to continue their support of public health goals, the Madison County Historical Society has decided to extend their closure until May 31st. All of its buildings are closed to visitors.
The museum grounds are open and available as a community resource. At this time, staff members plan to continue to work and are reachable by email or phone.
PS. All Museum poultry and cats will be taken care of during this time. Please do NOT provide any food to the animals on The Hill!
Construction at Madison County Hospital & Health Trust Clinic
Concrete work will begin on the Health Trust Physicians Clinic parking lot today and continue for approximately two weeks. All clinic patients will need to park in the northeast Emergency Department parking lot (to your left when you pull in from W. Hutchings Street/S. 3rd Ave).
Groth’s Gardens & Greenhouses
Curbside pickup suspended
Here’s a message from Deb Growth about curbside pickup. The greenhouses are STILL OPEN to walk-in customers Monday-Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 12-4. There’s lots of space to look around and still keep your distance from other shoppers.
Curbside pickup is being suspended at this time. Our employees have been coming in early and leaving late and we are concerned for their well-being. As much as we would like to accommodate everyone’s wishes, we realize we do not have enough help to manage the greenhouses and curbside pick up. All of our staff are seasonal helpers who have agreed to work on a part time basis. We have not been able to honor that agreement with them the past two weeks. Our staff has been wonderful about the extra hours, but we need to put their needs first. Thanks for your support and understanding.
Latest COVID-19 Information & Guidelines
Yesterday (April 30) the Iowa Department of Public Health and Madison County Public Health reported that they have identified four additional cases of COVID-19 in the county. Evidence of community spread is now present in Madison County, which means at least one new confirmed case cannot be directly tied to an existing known case or outbreak.
“The actions people should take to protect themselves and slow the spread of the disease have not changed,” said Madison County Public Health Administrator Sharon Miller. “If we stay calm and are consistent with our preventive measures, we will get through this together as a community.”
COVID-19 is very contagious and can be spread by individuals who are not yet showing symptoms or never show symptoms. All residents should:
- Stay home as much as possible. Leave only for essential errands like groceries or getting medication. When you run these errands, send only one person from the household, if possible.
- Wear a cloth face covering that completely covers your nose and mouth when in public.
- Stay home when even mildly ill (the kind of illness that normally wouldn’t prevent you from your everyday activities.)
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Remember, avoid rumors and misinformation by going directly to reputable and trustworthy sources for the latest updates and guidelines.
Madison County Public Health
Iowa Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coronavirus.Iowa.Gov
Happy May Day! Be Well and Thank you for Reading!
Thank you for reading The Winterset Citizen. All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of the following sponsors:
American State Bank
Anchored Walls
Ben Franklin
Blanchard Family Dentistry
Covered Bridge Realty
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Farm Bureau FS, Scot Clark
Groth’s Gardens & Greenhouses
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
Johnson Insurance
John Wayne Birthplace Museum
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
McGowen Hurst Clark Smith
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
Pine Creek Ltd.
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department
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