We all bought our milk and bread hearing of the upcoming weekend weather, but have we thought about how to make the weekend just a little more fabulous?  There’s still time.  Let WIDA help you out!

10 – Hit the library today for a good read – Oakland (Eckel’s Memorial), Avoca (Avoca Public Library), and Walnut have you covered!  If you’re like us, once you start, it’s hard to stop!  The chilly weekend will be a blur.

9 – Speaking of blurs, another option is to swing into Breezy Hills Winery (in Minden), Prairie Crossing Winery (in Treynor), or even the Blue Cow in Neola (they carry Breezy Hills) to grab a little (or a lot of) wine and find an old favorite movie on TV or catch a new binge-watch series on Netflix.  It is going to be a long weekend, after all!

8 – Hey, it’s a new year and new resolutions were made!  How ‘bout trying something new like Darius suggests?  Grab your blankey and run lines with a significant other so you can try out for the Grist Mill’s production of “Bad Year for Tomatoes” this next week (Jan. 25 & 27 in Macedonia)!  I bet they’ll be excited to see you!

7 – Now’s not the time to forget about our Midwestern football boys!  Grab some summer sausage and cheese, nacho makings, or little smokies from Ruback’s (Oakland) or Blue Cow (Neola) and settle in for some football!  Cheer on our Chiefs!  It’s Championship weekend, baby!

6 – Always a big believer in snuggling in while the weather outside is frightful.  Pick up a candle from the Candle Queens at The Country Store in Carson and put on your pajama pants.  It’s that kind of weekend!  Make it an even better weekend with ribeyes from Gress Locker (in Hancock), Jon’s Naturals in McClelland, or Minden Meat Market.

5 – Nothing says 3 (or 4 depending on your job) weekend like being an overachiever!  You swore you were starting those Christmas gifts earlier this year!  Grab some coffee from the Treynor Java Supply or Cool Beans (in Oakland) and get the yarn/sequins/thread/bedazzler out and make those crafts happen!  (Plus, you can enter them in Open Class at the East Pott. Or West Pott. County Fairs this summer before you give them!)

4 – So if you really want to be an overachiever, put some soup, or even better – some mac ‘n cheese, in the crockpot and then head to JP Lumber (in Oakland) to grab all the supplies to finally put up those curtains or change the lightbulb that’s been out for months!  You won’t be sorry it’s done!

3 – Is rebellion your thing?  A little cold isn’t going to stop you…grumble, grumble, grumble – well, then, keep warm with a few extra drinks at the Crescent Roadhouse Bar and Grill while you play some bingo and kick a little a…rtic cold to the curb on Sunday at 2.

2 – So sticking with the “cold ain’t gonna stop me” plan – why not go retro?  UMBA in Underwood is offering skating Saturday night 7-10pm. 

1 – Or you can simply enjoy the excuse to cancel all your plans, play board games with the family, and end your weekend strong with Open Gym and Walking Club at Impact Hill in Oakland.

Whatever your weekend plans, may they be relaxing, fun, and perfect here in Pott. County!

***
Got other suggestions?  Feel free to let us hear them!

And be sure to come back for our Valentine’s His and Her Shopping Guide!

Sure, we all know there can be a letdown after the holidays and some dreary weather doesn’t help, but January is also that time to regroup!  And what better avenue than date nights out with your loved one?  Especially ones that are cheap when those holiday bills are rolling in! 

We have 10 dates under $20!

10 – Nothing says love like volunteering together!  Hit the Underwood Bloodmobile on Monday, Jan. 14 to give blood, eat some sandwiches, and give the gift of improved life.  No cost to you, but a great reward.

9 – Sip and Stitch – Who says crocheting isn’t manly?  Have some drinks and learn to crochet together at the Crescent Roadhouse Bar and Grill on Thursday night, Jan. 17th.  (Or you can simply head there for drinks any other night, too!)

8 – Catch a cheap movie Friday, Saturday, and Sundays at The Phoenix in Neola or The Dreamland Theatre in Carson.  Add the popcorn and you’re still under $15!

7 – Who knows how to keep warm in January? The crew at The Station in Hancock!  Warm up with some Chocchatta or Irish coffee!  Hot cocoa with Rumchata and Irish coffee with Bailey’s and Jameson! Both with whipped cream!!  Then grab a free movie check-out at Eckel’s Memorial Library in Oakland or The Avoca Public Library to have the rest of the night in.

6 – Gotta love an old-school trip to the bowling alley!  Get your bowl on at Minden Bowl! 

5 – Missing the great feeling of the holidays?  Set a $10 price limit and buy each other gifts as you go antiquing in Walnut as you stroll down the quiet streets this time of year!

4 – Do a museum tour.  How many times have you passed by saying to yourself you need to stop in?  Macedonia, Oakland, Avoca, and Walnut all have museums open by appointment for that perfect evening out and they’re all free admission!

3 – A little competitive spirit always livens up the evening! Race the Shelby trail and end at the Corn Crib.  Loser buys supper!

2 – Check out Prairie Crossing Winery in Treynor.  You can hit their winter concert on Jan. 13 at 1 or head to Breezy Hills Winery in Minden for soup and sandwich pairings each weekend!

1 – Catch a Friday night high school basketball game!  Cheer for the home team whether it be the Bulldogs, the Cardinals, the Eagles, or the Vikings!  You won’t be sorry!  

​More places to suggest?  Feel free!