Leadership Iowa, the state’s premiere issues awareness program, is in Madison County today, where participants have gathered to begin their eight month program. Leaders from across the state will experience sites in and around Winterset, Wildwood Hills Ranch, and Madison County.
The program began Wednesday, October 4 at Covered Bridges Winery, where the group of 40 leaders heard from an expert in group dynamics, communication, team building, and leadership. On Thursday, October 5 (today!) they are meeting with Winterset Mayor Jim Olson and Madison County Development Group Executive Director Tom Leners at The Iowa Theater. The group will also be welcomed by Mike Ralston, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. Heather Riley, Executive Director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and her team will lead the class in an activity to learn more about the Winterset area. The group will complete the day at Wildwood Hills Ranch with a variety of group learning activities.
AgriVision Equipment Group will host the class on Friday, October 6 where Todd McDonald of ATW Training Solutions will present, followed by U.S. Ambassador Mary Kramer. The session will end with an optional golf outing at Lakeview Golf & Country Club Friday afternoon.
Madison County Leadership Iowa alums Heidi Burhans (LI 2014-2015) and Wayne Martens (LI 2008-2009) co-chaired the local planning committee for the session. Other Leadership Iowa alumni who live and/or work in Madison County include Mary Bontrager (LI 2008-2009), Ashley Jared (LI 2012-2013), Al Lorenzen (LI 2006-2007), Dusky Terry (LI 2008-2009), and Jodi Tymeson (LI 1999-2000).
Leadership Iowa, a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, is one of the state’s most revered professional development opportunities. Through Leadership Iowa, participants travel to eight locations around the state to learn about issues facing Iowa and it’s communities and gain a better understanding of the role they can play in addressing those challenges.
Heather Riley and Tom Leners both expressed how excited they were for the opportunity to host the kickoff for this program in Winterset. It is something they’ve wanted to host here for some time, and additions to our community, such as a new hotel, have made it possible. Can we still show them a good time in the rain? Yes we can! As always, if you encounter visitors here this weekend, give them a warm Madison County welcome.
This Weekend
On Friday, October 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, celebrate the opening of the Iowa Quilt Museum’s new exhibit: “Bounty of Baskets.” The new exhibit features a traveling collection of small quilts made by members of the American Quilt Study Group. Each quilt is a replica or interpretation of an authentic 19th century basket quilt. The reception is open to the public for a $10 donation to the museum. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and live music while you take in the new exhibit and visit with the curator and museum board members and staff. It will be on display through December 30th.
And if the new exhibit inspires you to get busy at your own sewing machine, you’re in luck. Piece Works Quilt Shop has started their 1,000 Bolt Blowout sale, with over 1,000 bolts of fabric priced at $6 per yard (one yard minimum) through this Sunday, October 8th. Check their website for store hours. Lots of good fabrics at a great value!
The Pumpkin Ranch is open this weekend, on Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from noon to 5pm. Admission is $9 per person, free for kids age two and under, and all activities and special events are included in the price of admission. They feature free horse rides every Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00, and free Face Painting every Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00, in addition to a 30′ x 50′ jump pillow, a 30′ x 70′ jump pad, hayrack rides zip lines, tunnel slides, a toddler town play area, a bale obstacle course, and a 10-acre corn maze with a theme of “Help Rebuild Cedar Bridge.” The Pumpkin Ranch is located at 2425 Hiatt Apple Trail, 4 miles east of Winterset, just off the St. Charles Highway.
Fall has arrived, and this Saturday will be the last Madison County Farmers Market of the 2017 season. Stop by the square from 8:00 to noon on October 7th to stock up and say, “See you next year!” Several of the farmer’s market vendors will also have goods for sale during the Covered Bridge Festival.
On Saturday, October 7, join local birder Sharon Bauer at Jensen Marsh for waterfowl viewing from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The aim of the morning will be to watch and identify the many types of migratory waterfowl that visit the marsh during the fall migration. Sharon will be present to answer any of your questions and help you identify our feathered friends. This event is open to people of all ages and skill levels. Comfortable clothing, sunscreen, binoculars and cameras are recommended. Contact Naturalist Amy Holley for more information at naturalist@madisoncountyparks.org.
If you’d like to attend the Cooking With Root Vegetables demonstration on Saturday morning at the Winterset Public Library at 10:30, call ahead to make sure there will be plenty of samples to go around!
Last I heard, there were still a few seats left for this amazing farm-to-table dinner and tour opportunity coordinated by PepperHarrow Farm on Saturday, October 7th. It will feature Madison County produce, wine, beer, and other locally made and grown items. Tickets are available at squareup.com/store/pepperharrow-farm/.
Covered Bridges Winery will host live music by James Biehn on Saturday evening, October 7th from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Cover is $5.00 for an evening of blues, rock and Americana. Food by Roadside Tacos will be available from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
New to Winterset Ballet and Dance Studio, CIZE classes for adults! CIZE is a fun, hip-hop aerobic mix that can be geared to any level of ability. Come to an introductory class led by Kelsey Collins this Sunday evening, October 8th, from 5:00-6:00 pm and/or the morning of Wednesday, October 11th from 9:00-10:00 am.
There are many individuals who have voiced support and are looking for a time and place to contribute to the effort to rebuild Cedar Bridge. You have a great opportunity to show your support this Sunday! YOU and all members of the community are invited to attend the Envision Cedar Bridge Pledge Party on October 8th at AgriVision, 1200 E. Highway 92 in Winterset, from noon to 3:00 pm. If you make your donation in time to help reach the October fundraising goal, your support will help make it possible to qualify for additional grant funds. The committee’s goal is to raise $250,000 by the end of October, and they are 60% there. Where will they be after this weekend? I can’t wait to hear!
After a hayrack ride and barbecue at the Envision Cedar Bridge Pledge Party, you’ll no doubt be in the mood for an evening of western music by Back in the Saddle — live on stage at The Iowa Theater on Sunday, October 8th at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available online and at the door.
Here is the rest of the schedule at The Iowa Theater for this weekend — more showings of “It”(R) by popular demand. Also, be sure the check out the full lineup of activities hosted by The Iowa Theater during Covered Bridge Festival weekend, which has dedicated its theme to the theater’s restoration and revival and Iowa’s rich movie heritage: “Cinematic Madison County.”
Also on Sunday, October 8th a few seats remain for the Cooking with Alesandra class at Covered Bridges Winery from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Alessandra Meschini will teach you to make risotto, a northern Italian rice dish cooked in a broth to a creamy consistency, and saltimbocca alla romana, and Italian dish made of veal or pork and lined or wrapped in prosciutto or sage, marinated in wine. Enjoy a free glass of wine, sample delicious dishes, and learn to create your own masterpiece! Advance registration is required; see coveredbridgeswinery.com for more information and registration link.
Coming Soon
Here are a couple of spooky events for teens and adults at the Winterset Public Library next week:
Be sure to get your registration in for the Rebuild Cedar Bridge 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the Winterset Rotary Club on the Saturday of Covered Bridge Festival (October 14th). Click to print out a form and mail or deliver to Roger Queck at 55 E. Jefferson in Winterset, or click here to register online.
Covered Bridge Festival is next weekend! My next post will feature highlighted events. The full schedule can be found here, and entertainment schedules are here.
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department hosts Youth Basketball for 2nd through 6th grade boys and girls on November 4th through December 30th at the Junior High and Elementary gyms. It is designed to teach proper fundamentals, have fun with friends and play games, with volunteer coaches guiding teams. Registration ends on October 20th. Register online here, or call 515-462-3258 for more information.
The Winterset Art Center will begin Fall Preschool Art sessions on October 18th, with your choice of morning or afternoon sessions. Classes are designed for children who are developing their fine motor skills and learning about the world around them. The four-week class will meet on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30am (morning session) or 1:30 to 2:30 pm (afternoon session). The class will be taught by Angela Newman with a curriculum designed by Amy Maiers, art instructor at I-35. Each day we will focus on a different theme utilizing an array of art materials. Fee is $20 per child for art center members and $25 per child for non-members. Limit of 7 students per session. Pre-registration is required. Contact Angela Newman at 804-380-8079 or wintersetart2016@gmail.com to register your child. There’s also a special Art Exploration for Ages 2&3 class scheduled for October 20th from 9:00 to 10:00 am. Find more information at www.wintersetartcenter.net.
Madhaus Gallery is hosting a Glassblowing Pumpkins event on October 21st from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Sign up for a half-hour time slot and make your own blown glass pumpkin with the help of the instructor in the hot shop. Cost is $75 per person; call Robin to reserve a spot at 515.707.4309 or email glassideas@mchsi.com.
Pick up your free Fall Discovery Pass at the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center or at the Winterset Public Library and enjoy discounts at The Iowa, Madison County Historical Complex, the Iowa Quilt Museum and The Pumpkin Ranch. Offers are good for the entire group or family during a single visit, and expire on October 29th. Be sure to present your pass upon admission.
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 deadline for applications is October 31, and winners will be notified by November 6. For more information, please visit: www.mhbank.com/youth-heifer, or talk with local Midwest Heritage Vice President Wayne Martens at 515-493-8392 or wmartens@mhbank.com.
Also, if you haven’t had a chance to see the “Images of Cedar Bridge” quilt on display at Piece Works Quilt Shop, stop by and take a look! It will be up for auction at City Park on Saturday evening, October 14th, during the annual Meet Me at the Bridge party on Covered Bridge Festival weekend. The images were taken by Carol Bassett, and the quilt was designed and pieced by Tony Jacobson and machine quilted by Riina Thompson. Proceeds of the auction will be donated to Rebuild Cedar Bridge. Also next Saturday evening during Covered Bridge Festival, the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold a Bingo Night in the parish hall (1026 N. 8th Ave.) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:00), with all proceeds to benefit Rebuild Cedar Bridge. $20 buys 20 games, and there will be concessions available also. So many ways to get involved in this effort — together we can make it happen!
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:
American State Bank
Anchored Walls
Angel Wings & CT
Blanchard Family Dentistry
Bridges Financial Associates
Covered Bridge Realty
Daniel Evans, Edward Jones
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Farm Bureau FS, Scot Clark
Groth’s Gardens & Greenhouses
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
Johnson Insurance
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madhaus Gallery
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
Madison County ISU Extension & Outreach
McDonald Tree Service
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
Pine Creek Ltd.
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Rusty Stars Alpacas
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Village Bootery
White Lions Bed & Breakfast
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department
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