This week in Madison County…
Tonight
Twins
Thursday • May 21 • 7:00pm
Throwback Thursday at The Iowa Theater
1/2 off popcorn on Throwback Thursday!
A group of scientists conduct a secret experiment in a genetics lab to produce a perfect child. They are surprised when a pair of twins is born, wherein one is dwarfish while the other king-sized. 1988, Rated PG, 1hr, 47 min
IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center
Thursday • May 21 • 10 AM – 1 PM
73 W Jefferson Street, Winterset
Thank you to our sponsors!
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This Week!
Senior Speaker Series
Friday • May 22 • 10 AM
Bricker-Price Block, Earlham
DIY Hat Burning Workshop
Friday • May 22 • 5:30-8:00 PM
Winterset Cidery
We are so excited to partner with AR Workshop Ankeny on a fun new class at the Cidery!
Join us on Friday, March 22nd from 5:30-8pm for a Hat Burning Workshop. Tickets are required, so make sure you grab yours at the link below before spots fill up! We can’t wait to see you there!
Get your tickets here!
VOTE The Bakery Unlimited as Best Donut Shop!
Daily through Monday • June 8th
Vote every day for The Bakery Unlimited in the USAToday 10Best Donut Shop contest – no signup is needed! They have previously come in 3rd and 5th – this time, let’s make it #1!
Polls close on Monday, June 8 at noon ET. The 10 winning shops, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, June 17.
VOTE HERE: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/bakery-unlimited-winterset-iowa
Winterset Retail District
Friday & Saturday • May 22 – 23
Chalk The Town Green: Mental Health Awareness Month
The Month of May
Madison County Health Care System
May is Mental Health Awareness month and we invite you to join us, along with lowa Healthiest State, in a month long campaign to start the conversations about the importance of mental health.
As the school year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to have conversations with your family about the value of being both physically and mentally healthy, and start creating a plan for your mental health through the summer.
Here’s what we need you to do:
- As many times as possible through the month of May, chalk your sidewalks and driveways green.
- While chalking, start those conversations with your family. For example, “Tell me about one thing that happened today that made you happy.”
- Create a plan – “How can we do that same thing this summer?” or “What are you most looking forward to this summer?”
- Don’t forget about physical health – “How many hours of screen time do you think your goal should be?” or “Tell me about your favorite activity in PE.”
As you create your chalk art, don’t forget to tag us!
It’s a GREAT day to be a Citizen—
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This Weekend!
Madison County Farmers Market
Saturday • May 23rd • 8am – 12pm
Madison County Courthouse Lawn
Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday • May 23rd • 8am – 11am
Winterset Municipal Airport
Live Music with Liv McNair
Saturday • May 23rd • 9-11 AM
at the Madison County Farmers Market
John Wayne Birthday Celebration & 5K
Saturday • May 23rd • 9am
John Wayne Birthplace Museum
Celebrate the Duke’s birthday with the Winterset Rotary John Wayne 5K Walk/Run.
Register at http://getmeregistered.com/JohnWayneRun
Proceeds benefit CRISP, Ferst Readers, Youth Scholarships and many more amazing projects!
George Washington Carver Park Rededication & Mural Reveal
Saturday • May 23rd • 10 AM
George Washington Carver Park
Join us as we celebrate history, art, and community at the George Washington Carver Park Rededication and Mural Reveal!
We are honored to unveil a beautiful new mural created by local artist Christine Hilbert, inspired by artwork originally painted by George Washington Carver himself. This special project celebrates Carver’s creativity, legacy, and lasting impact on generations to come.
George Washington Carver Park
Saturday, May 23 10:00 AM
Winterset, lowa
Come gather with us for this meaningful community celebration as we rededicate the park and reveal this incredible new piece of public art. We can’t wait to share it with you!
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Opening Day at Speckled Hen Farms
Saturday • May 23rd • 11am-4pm
Speckled Hen Farms
It’s almost here! Opening day at Speckled Hen Farms 2026! Saturday, May 23rd from 11-4 and Sunday, May 24th from 12-3! Everything you love ( and MORE!) Farm fresh eggs,homemade pizza dough, gourmet food items, fresh baked artisan bread, local pork and beef, soaps, candles, kitchen, bath, apparel and on & on, with more arriving daily! And did we mention Covered Bridges Wine and NEW this season…cider from Winterset Cidery!!! And all Opening weekend, spend $50 and get a FREE SHF tote bag to use all season long! Bread and dip samples..You don’t want to miss it! See you Opening Day at SHF!
2026 John Wayne Birthday Celebration
Saturday • May 23rd
John Wayne Birthday Celebration Weekend:
Rooster Cogburn
Saturday • May 23rd • 1:00pm
The Iowa Theater
An ageing US marshal, stripped of his badge due to his alcoholism and injudicious usage of firearms, tackles deadly criminals who have conquered a village in Amerindian territory to regain his honor. 1975, Rated PG, 1hr, 48 min
Live Music with Jesse and the Medicine Men
Saturday • May 23rd • 5-8 PM
Winterset Cidery
Join us Saturday, May 23rd for an evening of great music, delicious food, and amazing cider at Winterset Cidery!
Jesse and The Medicine Men are back and playing live from 5-8pm, bringing the perfect soundtrack to your Saturday night.
We’ll be open 1-10pm, so come early, grab a cold glass of cider, and settle in for the evening.
Hammer and a Fork will be serving up a delicious dinner from 5-8pm, making it the perfect night out!
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, gather your favorite people, and enjoy a relaxing evening at the orchard
$10 cover per vehicle – no matter how many people are in the car! We can’t wait to see you there!
Kickoff to Summer!
Saturday • May 23rd • 6-8pm
Madison County Winery
Summer is here! Come celebrate the beauty of the winery and enjoy live music with Willie Mac and the Lost Cousins. Music 6:00 – 8:00
It’s also WOOD FIRED PIZZA NIGHT! Serving from 5:00 – 8:00
Movie at The Iowa Theater: The Sheep Detectives
- Saturday, May 23 – 7:00PM
- Sunday, May 24 – 2:00PM
In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
2026 Rated PG, 1hr, 49min
Free Screening: We Were Soldiers
Sunday • May 24th • 6:00pm
The Iowa Theater
Presented free with the generous support of an anonymous veteran.
The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and anxiously at home for the good news or the bad news. 2002, Rated R, 2hr, 18 min
Live Music with Kris Karr
Sunday • May 24th • 2-5 PM
Winterset Cidery
Join us Sunday, May 24th from 1-6pm for a holiday weekend Sunday Funday at Winterset Cidery
Kick back, relax, and sip on crisp, refreshing cider while enjoying live music by Kris Karr from 2-5pm and charcuterie by Graze Craze.
Grab your lawn chairs, bring your favorite people, and soak up the long weekend with us!
Chamber Members: We would love to include your upcoming events in the weekly snapshot, Chamber Chat and The Citizen! To ensure you get included, please email your event information to: communications@madisoncounty.com
Welcome Desk Volunteer Needed
Madison County Conservation Center
Planning your Senior Portraits
The Photician: Portraits & Fine Art
Senior year is closer than you think. Start planning today!
The Photician: Portraits & Fine Art | 515.512.2939 | www.photician.com/seniors
Next Week
Marcia’s 7th Annual Bread Giveaway
Monday • May 25th • 11:30am-2:30pm
The Bakery Unlimited
Tai Chi: Arthritis & Fall Prevention Classes
Wenesdays • May – August • 9 AM
Winterset Public Library
Madison County Foundation for Community Arts: Arts Mixer
Thursday • May 28th • 5:30-7:00 PM
The Honey Lounge
Artist Mixer hosted by the Madison County Foundation for Community Arts
Calling all artists, arts supporters, and arts appreciators! Join us for a relaxed and welcoming Artist Mixer designed to bring creative minds together. This is a social space to connect, chat, share ideas, and let inspiration flow freely across disciplines.
Whether you’re actively creating, passionately supporting the arts, or simply love being around creative energy, you’re invited. Come meet new people, exchange stories, spark collaborations, and maybe even plant the seed for the next great community arts event in Madison County.
No agenda-just good conversation, creative cross-pollination, and community. We’d love to see you there!
Friday Flicks at the Library
Friday • May 29th • 1:30pm
Winterset Public Library
Coming Soon
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Iowa 19th Century Society of Friends (Quakers)
Tuesday • June 2nd • 6:00pm
Winterset Public Library
lowa 19th Century Society of Friends (Quakers) – Glenn York, MCGS member, Ft. Collins, Colorado
This presentation will include information on Quakers and their history, the growth of Quakerism across Iowa, and their migrations beyond Iowa to the west. The Quakers who lived near Earlham on “The Quaker Divide” and their Bear Creek meeting and others, will be explored.
The MCGS provides a public program each month on the first Tuesday at 6:00 pm at the Winterset Public Library with a business meeting following for those who choose to stay. There is no charge and all those interested in genealogy or Madison County history are welcome to attend.
Trucks and Trains at the Library!
Winterset Public Library
2026 Iowa Quilt Festival
June 3rd-6th
Mark your calendars; the 2026 Iowa Quilt Festival is set for June 3–6, 2026, and it will be a celebration you won’t want to miss!
The festivities begin with our beloved Quilt Retreat at the Winterset Livery from June 3–5. This three-day retreat is all about quilting, camaraderie, and creativity. Bring your projects, gather with friends, and enjoy the chance to connect with quilters from across the region.
Then on Saturday, June 6, Winterset will be transformed for the annual Airing of the Quilts. From the covered bridges of Madison County to the historic courthouse square, churches, parks, and storefronts, quilts will be displayed across the community in a breathtaking celebration of art and tradition.
Workshops, lectures, Quilt Trivia Night, and more will round out the week.
Big Read Showcase
Saturday • June 6th • 6:30-8:30 PM
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Micro Retreat at Iris Aisle
Wednesday • June 10th • 5:30-8:00pm
Micro Retreat Includes: REIKI INFUSED, CEREMONIAL CACAO, BREATHWORK JOURNEY, SOUNDBATH, LIGHT-LANGUAGE, INTEGRATION CIRCLE AND WARM SOUP.
Why the combination? Cacao, Conscious Connected Breathwork and Sound Healing?
Cacao allows us to drop deeper into our heart spaces.
Often times we stuff BIG feelings in our bellies and bodies. This may feel like a ‘safe’ response in the moment since it masks an option to really deal with our emotions; Yet doing this can actually be detrimental to our emotional well-being and physical health.
One way to connect with and release the emotions that we have stored in our body is to focus on our breath. By relaxing our bodies fully and turning off the chatter in the mind by focusing on our breath in a quiet meditative state, we can tap into the genius of our body!
The breath guides deep deep wounds to surface and finally be release in a healthy, safe way.
Experience a deep connection to your Breath and your Body. Clear the stored programing that is holding you back in your life purpose and creation.
Birding at Pammel State Park
Saturday • June 13th • 8am
Madison County Conservation Center
It’s a GREAT day to be a Citizen—
Thank you for reading!
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!
Forward this email to a friend who you think would enjoy being ‘in the know’ about community happenings!
Sip & Paint Class
Saturday • June 13th • 1-3pm
Covered Bridges Winery
If you don’t consider yourself an artist, there’s still a way to be part of the fun this weekend! Join us for a Sip & Paint Workshop and create your own masterpiece in a relaxed, social setting.
Register for the Workshop Here!
Paint Madison County – A Plein Air Festival
Sunday • June 14th • 9am
Event by Madison County Chamber of Commerce and Covered Bridges Winery.
Experience Madison County through the eyes of talented artists during this one-day plein air festival!
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Watch Artists at Work
Visit various scenic locations (locations will be released the evening before) around Madison County and watch youth and adult artists create original works inspired by our historic charm, covered bridges, and beautiful landscapes.
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Reception & Art Sale
Join us at Covered Bridges Winery for an evening reception and art sale. Meet the artists, enjoy the atmosphere, and take home a one-of-a-kind piece celebrating Madison County.
The Reception & Sale is open to the public. Come on out to the Winery for live music and food while you check out the artwork that was created during the day!
Youth and Adult Artists are welcome to participate. Applications are required:
Vacation Bible School
June 14th-17th • 6-8pm
Redeemer Church
Redeemer Church will host Vacation Bible School June 14-17 from 6:00-8:00 PM for children who completed Pre-K through 3rd grade during the 2025-2026 school year.
This year’s theme is “Illumination Station,” where kids will discover who Jesus really is—the Light of the World who brings hope into the darkness. The week will include Bible lessons, games, music, crafts, and plenty of fun activities for kids.
Families can register online at www.redeemerwinterset.com.
Madison County Women’s Giving Circle: Quarterly Meeting
Tuesday • June 23rd • 6pm-7pm
Madison County Conservation Center
The Madison County Women’s Giving Circle 2nd quarter meeting will be held Tuesday, June 23rd from 6pm to 7pm at the new County Conservation building in Pammel Park. We are welcome to arrive at 5:00pm to view (and explore) the new Conservation Building before the meeting. It is a very interesting and beautiful building.
Because the Harmon Tunnel and Main Road through Pammel Park will be closed until further notice due to road work in progress, the best way to access the conservation center is to take Hwy 169 South from the 4-way stop West of Winterset, then turn West on Carver Road, then turn North on Pammel Park Trail to reach the South park entrance.
Anyone interested joining or learning more about the organization is welcome to attend.
Local charitable 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organizations who wish to present information about their projects for supporting women and children in Madison County should arrive by 5:30 p.m. to register. When registering to present, we ask that applicants provide a brief description of their project; their tax-exempt status; and email address and telephone number where they may be reached.
Three organizations will be selected by a drawing to present at the meeting. Each will be given 4 minutes to present and 4 minutes to answer questions. One of the three non-profits will be elected by vote to receive this quarter’s donations. If more than 3 non-profits wish to present, the rest will each have 2 minutes to tell us about their project.
Agriland FS
Fuel Up & Give Back to the Winterset Community School District! From now through June 30, fuel up at the Winterset FAST STOPs and AGRILAND FS will donate 3¢ per gallon to the Winterset Community School District.
Fuel Up & Give Back to the Earlham Community School District! From now through June 30, fuel up at the Earlham FAST STOP and AGRILAND FS will donate 3¢ per gallon to the Earlham Community School District.
Chamber Members: We would love to include your upcoming events in the weekly snapshot, Chamber Chat and The Citizen! To ensure you get included, please email your event information to: communications@madisoncounty.com
