Most of the time this blog is pretty much, just the facts, ma’am, informing our readers of what’s happening in Winterset, and when and where to find it. Today, however, I’m feeling a little ruminative.
I’ve always thought there was something kind of special about this time of year, when summer yields to fall. The air seems a little fresher, the temperatures are certainly more to my liking than those of July and August, and I LOVE to see the color come to the leaves. While there’s still the chance for some warm afternoons, I can also start to cozy up in sweaters, hats and scarves once in awhile—although this does create a wardrobe challenge some mornings!
Since I’m in the active child-rearing phase of my life, this time of year also returns a little more structure and order to our family-life. My kids enjoy getting back to dance, gymnastics, football, soccer and music lessons. With the kids (and husband) back at school, I get a tiny bit more time to keep up with the house management. And the weekends seem a bit more precious because time is limited.
Although I admit to being a bit of a cockeyed optimist at times, I’m certainly not oblivious to the difficulties facing the world right now. There are a lot of things that concern and worry me, and I’m not immune to the ‘typical’ stressors of life either—work, kids, schedules, obligations, relationships. In fact, in a few more minutes, the stress of all that is yet un-done will probably catch right back up with me. I may even end the day by falling asleep on the couch with a sink full of dirty dishes and toys scattered across the living room floor.
Right now, though, in this exact moment, I’m intentionally trying to set all that aside and remember how particularly fond I am of this time of year. I’m taking in a deep breath of fresh fall air and enjoying the tree across the street with just a hint of red and orange in the leaves. And while I’m at it, I’m trying to not forget that I’m truly grateful for the community in which I live, the people who live here with me, the beautiful nature all around us, my friends and, especially, my family.
~Megan
This Weekend
Days of Thunder
Playing this weekend at the Iowa Theater
Friday & Saturday • 7:00pm
Remember, seating at The Iowa is limited. Purchase your tickets ONLINE and/or arrive early to ensure your seat. Doors open at 6:30.
In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, a rivalry brews between rookie hotshot Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) and veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). When both of them are seriously injured in competition, the former bitter rivals become close friends. With Cole’s spirits restored by a romance with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), and Rowdy still sidelined by injuries, Cole decides to race Rowdy’s car in the Daytona 500 against underhanded newcomer Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes). PG-13
Madison County Farmers Market
Saturday mornings • 8:00 am – noon
on the Square
Enjoy open air shopping at the Madison County Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:00 am – Noon on the courthouse square! Find fresh vegetables, herbs, plants, baked goods, honey and more.
Friends of the Library OUTDOOR Book Sale
TODAY • Noon – 5:00pm
TOMORROW • September 19th • 10:00am – 3:00pm
Since last weekend was so soggy, the library’s book sale was postponed to a two-day event this weekend. Today and tomorrow you will find items sorted by category on the south side of the Library near the Book Nook benches. All items are being ‘sold’ for a free-will donation, and proceeds go directly to support the work and increase the collections of the Winterset Public Library.
Quilts of Valor Benefit Garage Sale
TODAY • September 18th • 11:30 – 4:00
TOMORROW • September 19th • 9:30 – 1:00
More Pieces Retreat Center, 110 S. 1st St (across from the Cellar)
Quilts of Valor is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The national organization is made up of local groups of quilters that make the quilts and, in many cases, award them in their own communities.
The Piece Works Quilt Shop Quilts of Valor Group here in Winterset consists of over 60 members and has awarded more than 550 Quilts of Valor in the past three and half years. In order to support their continuing work (the average quilt costs at least $100 in materials alone!), the group is holding a ‘garage’ sale of quilts, table runners, home decor, colored thread, fabric, patterns, scrap-booking stamps, CD’s, books, chairs and more.
This is a great way to support the mission of Quilts of Valor if you’re not a quilter!
City Wide Garage Sale
Saturday • September 19th
It’s a little coincidental that there are two fundraising sales listed for this weekend, until you consider that it’s also City Wide Garage Sale weekend. You can find a list of participating sales in this week’s Shopper, although there will probably be others that spring up…like the one at my house!
Stop by 503 W Court and sift through all of the fabulously fashionable and trendy clothing, housewares and toys that are looking to leave my home and join yours! You won’t find any prices at my sale. Just take what you want and leave what you can—all the money is going to local organizations like CRISP, Matura, Paw Pantry, etc.
Coming Soon
Madison County Women’s Giving Circle
Tuesday • September 22nd • 5:00pm
Winterset City Park, North Shelter
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Madison County Women’s Giving Circle’s third quarter meeting will be held at the Winterset City Park this Tuesday evening. Any local non-profits who would like to present at this meeting will need to sign in by 4:45 p.m. If the weather is questionable, potential presenters should contact Ester Mae Cox at 515-468-1281 by 3 p.m. on the 22nd to find out if the meeting is still on.
Members who attend the meeting need to wear a face covering and bring a lawn chair, your own beverage, checkbook and a pen and paper for voting. If you are unable to attend, Ester Mae Cox will be sending out a follow-up notification and will collect your checks for the selected charity.
If you are not a member of the Madison County Women’s Giving Circle and might be interested in becoming a member, you are welcome to attend the meeting.
Take a Hike
Wednesday • September 23rd • 6:00 – 17:00pm
Pammel State Park
The Wellness Wednesdays in Winterset organization & Madison County Conservation have teamed up and are asking you to take a hike on Wednesday. The relaxing hike will wander through Pammel Park and include a short history program covering the development of Pammel Park and the involvement of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Madison County.
As hikers stretch their legs along the backbone trail they will see unique features including the limestone backbone, Pleistocene snails, and Chinquapin Oaks. The hike will begin at the Backbone Shelter Parking inside Pammel Park at 6:00 pm on September 23rd, and hikers of all ages are welcome. There is no cost to join the hike but pre-registration is required and is available online.
Finally
Midwest Heritage, a subsidiary of Hy-Vee, Inc., is now accepting applications for their award-winning program to help youth get a start in the cattle industry.
The goal of the Midwest Heritage Youth Heifer Program is to help future young farmers gain interest and knowledge of the beef cattle industry by awarding bred heifers to program recipients. Midwest Heritage will grant up to five 7th and 8th graders, three bred heifers each. The program will span five years. During this time, recipients are responsible for management of the herd including daily care, records and breeding. At the conclusion of the five years, recipients are responsible for paying back the market value of the three bred heifers. When submitting applications for the program, the participants are required to list their goals for the program, their future, give descriptions of how they would promote it within their communities and submit three letters of recommendation.
“This program provides an excellent opportunity for youth to get started in raising cattle,” said Tracy Taylor, Midwest Heritage Market President. “The program goal is for these students to have established a foundation herd and gain financial self-sufficiency by the end of five years.”
Students from Adair, Lucas, Madison, Wayne and Warren County are invited to apply. Applications are being accepted until October 30, 2020 and can be found online at mhbank.com/youth-heifer.
Josiah Hornback of Winterset, was a recipient of this grant in 2019.
Be Well and Thank You for reading
Share this with a friend who you think would enjoy
being ‘in the know’ about community happenings!
And if you’re reading this post but it didn’t come to your inbox,
be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any more!
(Subscribe button at the bottom of the page…read the sponsors list on your way)
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
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
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department
Subscribe to The Winterset Citizen
