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The Voice of a Thriving Region

Escape your House for the Pott. Co. Selfie Tour!

3/30/2020

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When you can’t go out but you can’t stay in, do the Pott. Co. selfie tour!  That’s right – I know you’re all looking for an excuse to get out and about but you don’t dare see people, right? Lol.  Well, here’s your tour of selfie fun one family or couple at a time!

First off, head to Botna Bend Park in Hancock.  Right outside the entrance, you will find a mini tatanka statue to take your picture with!  And if you want to make it a longer stay with a little more entertainment, put your $3 in and head to see the real, live version of bison and elk!  These days, they are certainly a highlight!

From there, we mosey to Walnut the back way.  Hop on G30 and head to the airplane!  At the intersection of G30 and M47, you will find the B-24 Liberator.  I love that out in the middle of Pott. Co. there’s a little memorial you can’t help but enjoy.  Pop out and get your propeller pic! 

Once in Walnut, one of the favorite little stops is on Main Street.  Right outside Plum Krazy at 222 Antique City Drive, they have a vintage bench waiting for you to plant that tushie and get that selfie taken!   

Next up, you’re driving to Avoca, home of all things jacked up! Lol.  Get that selfie under the Spider Car without touching anything or anyone!  Plus, there are more options at the truck stop and a tractor across from the grocery store (which you might very well need anyway to get your fresh oranges and toilet paper)!

The logical route would be to move onto Shelby.  The obvious choice at Shelby is the world’s largest cornstalk!  You’ve probably driven by a million times but have you ever actually stopped and taken the pic?  Probably not.  Here’s your chance!

What’s next?  The observation tower at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek!  Get that exercise in after all those baked goodies you’ve been making at home to pass the time!  The view is incredible and the selfie will be, too!

As you work your way back from Crescent, you’ll probably want to make your way to Underwood.  I love people who put effort into fun!  And one family has done hay bale décor just for you!  Find the intersection of Railroad Highway and Jaguar Loop Road.  Be sure not to disrupt their field, but pull off for that fab selfie post!  We are #AmericaStrong! 

On to McClelland!  If you haven’t been to the park on Main Street, you have to see it!  It’s adorable but take the “time” to grab a selfie next to the clock right outside the gates! 

If you haven’t been to Minden lately, you need to get your selfie in the Minden Triangle!  That’s right.  No town square for Minden, it’s a triangle!  Perfect for your pic!

Then you get a little drive time for your trek to Treynor.  Again, the obvious choice it is, but such a good one:  the Huey helicopter!  At 11 W Main, you won’t miss it!  Or if you want the less-obvious choice, they actually have a windmill in their park! 

My pick for Macedonia is Old Town Park.  Although I love Main Street, there’s something relaxing about water and a quick stop can put you at Old Town Park at the shelter 50 feet from the river.  No bugs and some green grass growing makes it a perfect place for a pic!

Motor onto Carson.  Where to get that selfie?  Next to the rodeo horse statue, of course!  Right there in the median on Broadway!  Be careful though – he might stare at you. Lol

Finally, we end our journey in Oakland, although the route can begin and end anywhere! I know there are a few options, but the biggest and boldest is definitely the Freedom Rock.  When you’re from the area, it’s easy to drive by and not take the time to stop, but again, this is the COVID-19 tour where killing time is not a bad thing! Lol.  If you want the less obvious stop, try the dinosaur in front of Keith’s Sinclair station.  He’s a cutie, too.  Just make sure you don’t disrupt business and you have your hand sanitizer!

And don’t forget to tag those Insta photos with #pottcounty!  Can’t wait to see them!
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Local Pott. Co. Business Sets up Sewing Crew!

3/28/2020

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Masks made by Oakland Farm Service Co-op Employees.
The “mask makers” of Pottawattamie County are certainly inspired, but none more than Cathy Fenn and Danea Buffington at the Farm Service Cooperative in Oakland!  Lots of stories are coming out about the sewers in the area making masks for healthcare professionals and custodians.  Veva Larson, Vicki Palmer, Coke and Shona Weirich, Susan Bentley, Marilyn Mickey, and many more are putting their skills to work, but Cathy and Danea have taken it to a whole new level!

Cathy is the office manager for Co-op in Oakland and Danea is transitioning into her job as Cathy prepares to retire.  The twosome heard about the need for masks because Cathy’s daughter and daughter-in-law both work at the Nebraska Med Center and had mentioned the nation-wide crisis. Cathy knew she had to do something and Danea was on board. 

Right now, the Farm Service Co-op in Oakland is in what Cathy refers to as the “calm before the storm.”  Anhydrous season is about to begin and it gets crazy around there, but for now, it’s too wet and the usual, daily foot traffic is light due to the rules surrounding COVID-19.  So it only seemed right that they set up a sewing operation right there in the Co-op office!  Cathy and Danea’s boss, Shawn Macha, was in full agreement.  His wife works at the Atlantic Hospital and he knew the idea was a solid one. 

The ladies have their sewing machines set up and in between customers and billing, they sew away! Cathy watched YouTube videos and took pieces from them to make her own pattern.  She said everybody needs to do what they can in a situation like this!  She was pleased to say that a friend’s 94-year-old grandma had asked for the pattern so she could do her part, too. 

The twosome has already sewn 35 masks as of Friday and are set to make more now that they acquired a new shipment of elastic.  The masks take pipe cleaners for the hem over the nose, elastic to keep them on, and furnace filters.  Some people can just use basic fabric masks, but for those on the front lines of this, the duo sews in a pocket of sorts that holds furnace-filter material.  Cathy mentioned that you have to purchase the high-grade 1900 series furnace filters for it to work effectively, but they cut the filters up and slide in a piece of the filter and it can be replaced regularly to keep out the toxins associated with the virus.

Cathy’s daughter distributes the masks as soon as they get them made and they have sent some to the hospital in Atlantic as well with Shawn’s wife, but I hear there’s also a pick-up location in Hancock for the Harlan Hospital.  If interested, let us know and we will get you in contact with the right people.

But for now, hats off or should we say, masks off to Cathy and Danea and all the other “mask makers” along with Farm Service Coop, a proactive business, for being some of Pott. County’s finest!  Thanks for being Pott. Co. examples in a crisis!
 
To learn more, check out Farm Service Coop on Facebook.
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Sponsored by Western Ventures, Inc.
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Cruise Pott. Co. Saturday Night!

3/26/2020

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​I’m so excited to announce you have two options for your Saturday night in Pott. Co!  Two weeks ago, two would have sounded sad, now it sounds fantastic!  Saturday night – you can get your cruise on!  Whether it’s a hot date with the spouse or a whole-fam-piling-in-the-car situation, it’s time to ride! 

Your two options:  Scoop the Loop in Carson (and Oakland) or make it a Car-antine Cruise Night in Minden!  Or hit ‘em both!  Minden starts at 6 and Carson starts at 6:30. Keep your social distance and party like it’s 1999!  Lol. 

Those cruising in Minden will start at the Minden Community Club parking lot at 105 Broadway St. but stay in your cars!  Those venturing out in Carson can hit Broadway whenever.  The route starts at the intersection of Broadway and Commercial St.

For those of you who haven’t had the experience of cruising in a small town, here’s your chance.  As a regular cruiser back in the day, this go-round might be a little, well, upgraded! 

Make the playlist for your phone.  It’s sure not the mix tape of old, but a little Steve Miller Band, Poison, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will go a long way! And if you want to go old-school, use the radio.  KGOR will take care of you. 

Have your pop and koozie.  (Don’t be afraid to ditch the pop for a treat from the DQ in Oakland. Call in your order. 712-482-6816)

Have snacks – popcorn, Twizzlers, think like a movie theater except you’re doing some people-watching instead! (But it’s okay to decide to order from The Bar’N and Grill (712-310-3103) and have some fries with that shake-shake you’ll have going with your car-dancing!)

Load up on the napkins, the hand sanitizer, and things like scissors, chip clips, and a white board to write those social distancing messages (so much cooler than texting, lol).  Never know what you’ll need for a good cruise.

How can your car be the cool car?  Can you drive top-down (it might be raining FYI)?  Can you have glow sticks to wave out the sun roof?  Can you drive something that looks like a clown-car full of your family? Can you put signs on the doors for people to read?  Can you get out the nerf guns (no scaring people though please)? 

Plus, be sure to teach your kid the classic Chinese fire drill!  It’s a must!

And take some pics!  We joke about how there were no phones for proof back in the day, but take those cruisin’ selfies!  Let’s see ‘em!

The world is different right now, and for some, it’s easier, but for some, it’s a whole new world.  So let’s take a couple of hours to be care-free in a socially-distancingly-appropriate way.

He who lights up the night, lights up the world.  Let your little light shine.
 

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The Iowa Nice 7-Day Challenge!

3/24/2020

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Here is our chance to officially be “Iowa Nice!”  We all live hectic lives, but if for some reason, COVID-19 has left you with more time than you know what to do with, why not be Iowa Nice?  I have put together a 7-day challenge for you to do just that!  I’ve got tips, suggestions, and I will be happy to take selfies from you, too!

Day 1 – Spread Happiness

One of my favorite things to do is post on other people’s social media timelines!  Nothing makes a person feel better than to be considered.  Plus, it’s free!  Go through those phone pics and find a special one that hasn’t seen the light of day yet and post it to their wall.  Or Snap them a video of you using a gift they gave you.  Or write a thank you message for something you appreciate about them.  Or post a funny meme that you know they’ll appreciate (be sure to thank the source).  It will take you very little time and no money to brighten the days of people, who like you, might be going stir crazy!
And if you’ve got family-bonding time happening, have them help you find old pics in a photo album and take a pic with your phone or have them color a picture and post it to a person.  It’s that easy!

Day 2 – Family Photo Day

We all know how hard it is to get a family photo, especially during the Christmas season!  Here’s your chance to get that perfect Easter photo or hunt down the Santa hats and get that photo for next Christmas!  Make everyone take a shower and put on real clothes, then head to the backyard or the couch or even the Spider Car in Avoca as long as no one else is there!  Do individual pics of everyone, even the usual photographer and then do group ones – fun ones, serious ones, ones to give the grandparents, etc.  That is family bonding at its finest. 

And if you are single or camped out alone, that’s okay, take a selfie!  Put on that old t-shirt from high school or make a mustache and post away! 

Day 3 – Send Mail

Personally, I am the worst at sending things in the mail, but the mailbox is at my door.  Write a thank you note.  Draw pictures.  Paint a masterpiece.  Write a poem.  Send balloons and bubblegum.  Just think of someone who probably never gets good mail and lick that envelope shut!  Kids, elderly, overwhelmed homeschooling moms all need good mail!

Day 4 – Pinterest Day

We all know those people who pin a million things never to actually try any of them!  Here’s your chance.  Make something!  Anything!  Make a mask for a nurse.  Make a cheesecake for the neighbors.  Make a pinecone bird feeder for the robins.  Heck, make that first cross-stitch for Christmas next year!  Or make that online photo album you’ve procrastinated on since your 8-year-old’s birth!  Busy hands keep an idle brain from overthinking and doing nice things for others gives us a happy rush.

Day 5 – Praise Small Businesses

As we all know, local, small businesses have been hurt badly by the pandemic.  What can you do to help?  Take to social media.  What should it look like?  It can look any way you want it.  Go to Dairy Queen’s page and simply say, “Thanks for the blizzard today!  Saved me from killing my kids!”  Or you can post pics of food you got from a curbside menu and tell what food and where you got it.  You can post something you got off Etsy.  Personally, I love when people give me info about their faves.  You can do a copy-paste post like the one below:

My Fave Food to eat in Pott. Co. is _________________.  I get it at __________________.
My Fave Place to shop for a birthday gift in Pott. Co. is _________________________.  I recently bought a _________________ there.
Have you taken your kids to __________________________?  Mine loved ___________________ there.
I was freaking out about _____________________ and __________________________ saved me!  Best _______________________ around!

A small shout-out I read sometimes gets me to try some place I’ve never been, especially if they mention a specific food or piece of merchandise they got there!  And I am always looking for plumbers, tree trimmers, etc!

Day 6 – Surprise a Neighbor

Think of it as an early May Day!  A little game of ding, dong, ditch for your kids!  Since you can’t actually see them, you can leave something fun on the doorstep!  You can’t go wrong with homemade cookies, a bottle of their favorite “beverage,” some packets of flower seeds, or a book/magazine to read!  The gesture brightens their day as does the gift as small as it may be.
 
Day 7 – Rewind Day

Nostalgia is a beautiful thing.  It’s even better when you get to share it with someone.  Crank up some Prince and Mellancamp!  Watch episodes of The Brady Bunch or Love Boat.  Make fondue and have the kids chop up the dippers.  Go to the creek if it’s warm enough and catch frogs.  Look at old photo albums or yearbooks that your family has never seen.  My favorite memories are playing cards with my parents or singing in the car with my dad or listening to “the goat on top of the school” story for the millionth time.  Get out their old toys you saved.  Dust off the piano.  Live like it was yesteryear.
Disclaimer:  This challenge is not to torture you further.  It is simply a mechanism for inspiration.  We are all used to going.  We are all used to talking to the people at work or school.  We are not equipped to be alone with our thoughts.  Do not let them destroy you.  You are here right now where you are supposed to be doing what you are supposed to do.  Find enjoyment in it or at least have some chocolate or a beer and cope!

Iowa Nice is about finding the enjoyment in doing for others and appreciating the little things.  Do what you gotta do, friends.  We’re all in this together!
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The Rest of the Story:  The Back Forty does Meals on Wheels starting TODAY

3/23/2020

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Mr. Rogers said “Look for the helpers,” and we found them:  Brian and Amy, that run The Back Forty in Macedonia are setting up Pandemic Meals on Wheels for senior citizens.  You may have read about it in The Nonpareil, but we’ve been watching it unfold.  The program actually kicks off today!

After resurrecting The Back Forty a year ago, the duo have gone out of their way to give back and fill the voids.  They regularly donate gift cards to charity events and started a convenience corner in their restaurant because there’s not one in ‘Donia.  When the pandemic hit, Brian knew they wanted to do something to give back to all the people who have supported them.  He said he knew the school was taking care of the kids and it was obvious, someone needed to help the senior citizens.  So he put out a post on March 19:

“Starting Monday 3/24 We will be starting a Meals on Wheels program for the senior citizens in our communities during this Cornovirus pandemic. We will be offering free meals and free delivery for lunch and supper. Please call 712-486-2687 to get added to our list. We want to do whatever we can do to help our community out during this time. We are covering the communities of Macedonia, Henderson, Oakland and Carson. We will continue to do this until we run out of food or money.”
 
That last line hit me to the core.  Here they are facing the destruction of their income, and they decide that they will donate food until they run out of food or money.  How does that not get your attention?  Fast-forward to today.  Today will be their first day of deliveries of either the house special or something off the menu.  As of today, the couple has 80 houses to visit! 

Sign-up is still available. 

With business down 75% from the usual, with no live bands and drinks selling, it could be a bleak time and a chance to get a little rest for the twosome, but Brian said that won’t be happening.  They have mouths to feed and hopefully, customers coming in for carry-out as it is still available.   
The good news:  80 sets of senior citizens will be getting free, warm meals, not having to leave their homes, and feel a sense of generosity because of Brian and Amy.  If you’d like to help make it happen, you can donate to the account set up at Great Western Bank in Oakland or on their Go Fund Me page. 

Brian told me the greatest feeling was the response after that first post, when people started to call in for their parents or their neighbors and people handing him an extra $20 for the program as they got their carry-out. 

It’s a weird time, but Mr. Rogers was right.  There are helpers and we’ve found some great ones in Pott. Co.  Thanks for making this happen, Brian and Amy!

​#PottCounty #SupportLocal
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Avoca Main Street Wins 2020 Iowa Tourism Award!

3/23/2020

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Rebecca Castle accepted the Iowa Tourism Award on behalf of the Avoca Main Street group.


​Avoca is celebrating an Iowa Tourism Award! 
That’s right:  the Avoca Main Street group won an award at the 2020 Iowa Tourism Conference for their Longest Table event in Des Moines, Iowa on March 3rd. 

Few win the prestigious awards, but thanks to a great event and the submission by Golden Hills RC&D, Avoca Main Street got the win!

For those of you who don’t know a lot about the Longest Table, it is held every fall, and according to Main Street Director, Amber Mohr, it “is a five-course, all-local, chef-hosted community meal for 100 diners held right in the middle of our city's main street. The event features a Happy Hour before at our Avoca Legion Hall, and live music during the meal, besides the opportunity to sample the best tastes of the season!”

The meal plan changes from year-to-year based on what is available and tastes fabulous at the time of the event.  Milk & Honey, in Harlan, helps out the Main Street group by providing a local chef.  This year, Avoca will be working with James Calkins to “design and prepare the meal.” Volunteers with the Main Street program in Avoca step up and serve all 5 courses to the 100 diners!  Needless to say, the Avoca Main Street is committed to making it a fabulous production!

When the event originated, the objectives were simple:  have the community gather in fellowship and celebrate the agricultural heritage of the area.  Now, it is an event that many long-time citizens look forward to with pride and anticipation.  Something new to the palette while sitting in the middle of Elm Street for perfect ambiance and great conversation.  What an evening!

I asked Amber about the response they’ve gotten and she said the things that stood out most was the truer sense of appreciation for local farming and for the vendors that sell at the Avoca Main Street Farmer’s Market each summer.  She also mentioned it felt good to hear that other cities have replicated the event.

Interested in attending this year?  Tickets will be available for purchase at brownpapertickets.com starting in September, just look for Avoca Main Street Longest Table in the search function or to follow all that the Avoca Main Street group is doing, go here.

Again, congratulations, Avoca Main Street, Inc. What a well-deserved award!  Thanks for making Pott. Co. proud yet again!

#PottCounty #SupportLocal #SmallTownLifeIsTheBestLife
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The Scoop on Destination Coffee & Cuisine Coming to Oakland!

3/20/2020

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Eric and Christy work on construction of their new place!
Have you seen the big news?  Oakland is getting a new specialty coffee and food shop and I’ve got all the details! 

Eric and Christy Baker bought the Blimpies building at 301 Pullen Avenue and are putting their culinary and business skills to work!  Expected to open in June, Destination Coffee & Cuisine will offer breakfast and lunch options complete with a drive-thru!  (As someone who hated getting their baby out of the car seat, this is big news for the area! Plus, you can actually drink that coffee on the way to work so you’re fresh and ready for the day!)

Breakfast will be full of drink options like specialty coffees, iced coffees, expresso, hot chocolate, and smoothies. The food items will be fast eat-on-the-go options like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and rolls/donuts.  The Bakers are committed to being as healthy and as environmentally responsible as possible so the donuts will be baked! 

Lunch will be all about healthy sandwiches, somewhat in the fashion of Panera – different unique toppings that can be on or taken off but a set list with all the basics like ham, turkey, and roast beef, but with a little bit of a flair.  They will also offer sides including chips and cookies.  Plus, they will have wraps, soups, and salads, and not just the typical iceberg variety.  Christy has big plans for some creative salads – think tuna salad with feta, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette! Possibly my favorite part is that they will be adding an app so you can order ahead and pick up your to-go lunch when you grab your morning coffee and then just microwave it when lunchtime rolls around at work!

The Bakers have traveled all over and feel that their place should reflect that.  Look for there to be photos from all over the US and beyond as well as kitschy décor worthy of a restaurant with Destination in the name!  Not only will they be bringing their love of travel to the table, but they will be bringing their skills sets, too.  Christy will be lead on the accounting and finances which is her background and Eric brings the culinary and business experience as he helped his entrepreneurial class at Griswold put in a coffee shop at the high school. It seems to me they are pretty prepared for the long haul and it sure doesn’t hurt that they plan to run the operation together and be visible in the community (after living here for over 20 years and raising their kids here, they are well prepared for it).  They admired the mentality of former owners, Mike and Teresa Keiser, and intend to have the same presence. 

Want to get the scoop and keep up-to-date on all their progress? Be sure to like their Destination Coffee & Cuisine page on Facebook!

Best of luck, Bakers!  We’ll be ready to eat when you are!
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Pott. Co. Restaurants Come Through in COVID-19 Crisis

3/18/2020

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Not sure what's available for take-out, delivery, or curbside?  We have it all for you!  

As we all continue to deal with COVID-19, we are trying to keep you informed of all your options.  Maybe you want to drive somewhere to grab food just for the sake of getting out.  Maybe you only want to do a drive-thru.  Maybe you just need easy access to phone numbers. Whatever the situation, we are here to help!

Not only will it help you to get a little break by ordering out, but you are helping businesses stay alive in a difficult situation.  

As Red Green always says, "We're all in this together!"
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Stop the Bleed in Pottawattamie with Kristi Kennedy!

3/11/2020

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​Have you heard of the Stop the Bleed Campaign?  Well, thanks to Kristi Kennedy, all of the Underwood Optimists and the Underwood Schools faculty have been trained to do exactly that!
 
What is Stop the Bleed?  It’s a grassroots effort to train regular people who might be witnesses/bystanders to an accident how to manage a situation until professionals can get there. 

Why is the Stop the Bleed Campaign important?  Kristi’s explanation:  “The purpose of the Stop the Bleed campaign is to make our nation more resilient by better preparing the public to save lives if people nearby are severely bleeding. This preparation is being done by raising awareness and teaching people how to learn three quick actions to control serious bleeding.” 

Kristi works as a data analyst at the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Trauma Department and has for 15 years.  It was there that she learned about the Stop the Bleed Campaign and realized that it could save lives.  Her work in the trauma department inspired her to bring it back to her hometown and share it with the Underwood Optimists because she said, “I introduced this to our Optimist Group {because I know that} everyone in this group cares about the families in the community, and that a bleeding injury can happen anywhere, but the nearest Level 1 or Level 2 Trauma Center is 30 minutes by ground.  We have a fantastic group of first responders here in Underwood that would respond as quickly as they can, but if everyone knows how to control a bleeding injury before professional help arrives, a life and or limb can be saved.” 

We’ve all been in a situation where time was a factor.  I, especially, took her words to heart because my dad actually saved his leg because he made his own tourniquet and wrap after an accident a few years ago that kept him okay to get to the hospital.  What may seem like common sense to the older generations is not something that has been taught to the younger ones so this campaign brings awareness.  In fact, Kristi advocates for teenagers and, in the right cases, younger children, learning basic first aid. 

Ms. Kennedy has been instrumental in helping make Underwood the first school in Southwest Iowa to have a trained staff and also kits in all three schools as well as tourniquets in almost every classroom and bus. 

When asked why people in Pottawattamie County need to know about this campaign, she told me that EVERYBODY needs to know how to do this.  Nobody wants to see something traumatic happen to a child or adult they know if it can be prevented.

Thanks, Kristi, for being a leader in the cause for Pottawattamie County!  Once again, you’re proving one person can make a difference!

Interested in taking the Stop the Bleed class?  There is a free class available at Impact Hill in Oakland on April 23rd from 6 to 7pm.
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Interested in the Underwood Optimists?  Well, they would be happy to see you!  The Underwood Optimists are very active in the community with their main focus being youth. They sponsor the T-ball through 8th grade softball program, a middle school boys basketball tournament, scholarships for seniors, oratorical and essay contests, the Underwood Easter Egg Hunt, the Cancer Walk, Kite & Bikes Day (which is coming up on April 18th), an Adopt a Family program at Christmas, and they are a post-prom sponsor.


Sponsored by Western Ventures, Inc.
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St. Patty's Weekend in Pott. Co. Promises Entertainment!

3/10/2020

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​The question isn’t “What can we do in Pott. County this weekend?” It’s “What CAN’T we do in Pott. County this weekend?”  What a fun time in Pott. Co!  Everyone is gearing up for St. Patty’s and you won’t want to miss it!

Festivities kick off with Fish Fry Friday Night in Shelby!  The Shelby Fire & Rescue will be having a fish fry at 402 Center Street in Shelby.  Meals will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids.  Grilled cheeses will also be available for kids.  All money raises helps the volunteer fire department!

Plus, while you’re in Shelby already, head on over to Newt’s Place.  They’ll be having karaoke from 7 to 9 and at 9pm, the First Name Band will be playing! 

It’s a band-kind-of-night as Open Interest will be playing at The Back Forty in Macedonia, too.  They cover all the regulars people know and will play from 8 to 11pm. 

Then we move onto Saturday.  What a day!  So many options, so little time!

The day starts off with Minden’s Bowl’s 2nd Annual Amelia Memorial 9 Pin No Tap Tournament.  And while you’re in town, Minden Meat Market & Hodges Smokehouse Catering will be having their 16th Annual Open House at the Minden Community Hall along with a few other vendors.  They’ll let you try out all their catering items for FREE!  And trust me, the food is good!  They will be serving from 11am to 1pm. 

The great part is that you’ll be done there just in time to head to Oakland.  The Riverside Booster Club will be holding their 1st ever Bags Tournament Fundraiser at the Oakland Community Center starting at 1pm.  The proceeds support the Riverside High School baseball team and entry fee is $40.  Just be warned you might be watching as the teams have almost filled up.

Supper is being offered by the Neola Fire Department at St. Pat's Hall in Neola!  It’s a freewill donation for their annual St. Patrick’s Dinner that will run from 4 to 7pm.  They will be serving corned beef and cabbage or roast beef and all the usual sides.  Plus, they will be having a raffle for a pellet grill, a TV, and a $250 Minden Meat gift card!  Wow!

Thinking you need more of a girl’s night out?  We’ve got that for you, too!  Women, Wine, and Wellness will be having for the 2nd year in a row at Prairie Crossing Winery in Treynor from 6 to 10pm.  The evening is pretty impressive with Alyssa Blair as the keynote and wine tastings provided by Prairie Crossing and beer tastings plus massages and live music!  It’s $20 but covers a whole lot of relaxation and it’s perfect to hang with friends, family, or your adult daughters!

In the mood for dancing and green beer instead?  The Back Forty will be hosting the John Watts Band from 8pm to midnight.  They are hosting back-to-back live band nights for the big weekend!

Sunday brings more places to eat out!  Nothing like a weekend of no cooking!  The Crescent Fire Department will be having their pancake breakfast from 8am to noon and the Carson Methodist Church will be having their St. Patty’s Day Dinner from noon to 1:30.  They will be serving corned beef or ham, along with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, rolls, desserts, and ice cream!  Can’t go wrong with that!

And just when you think the weekend should be over, it’s not!  With St. Patrick’s Day being Tuesday, the weekend is extended!  Tuesday brings more St. Patrick’s Day food at Buck Snort in Oakland, The Bar’N and Grill in Carson, and the Roadhouse in Crescent!

The Buck Snort will be serving corned beef, cabbage, carrots, red potatoes, and yes, folks, the most important – green beer! 

The Bar’N and Grill in Carson will do things a little differently with a corned beef and cabbage buffet all day along with $7 pitchers of green beer and a free jukebox all evening!

Finally, St. Patrick’s Day concludes with Cole Rath at the Crescent Roadhouse Bar & Grill.  Catch some live music by Cole along with food and drink in honor of Marcy’s 50th Birthday!  Have corned beef and cabbage along with $2 Jell-O shots and Fireball shots from 6pm to 10.

Let’s just say Pott. Co. is keeping you busy this holiday!  So go out, celebrate, and enjoy!  They’ll be happy to see you!

#SupportLocal #SmallTownLifeIsTheBestLife
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