There’s big news in Walnut!  Did you hear?  The Walnut Community Center is officially opening their new Wellness Center January 2nd!  It’s just in time for all those New Year’s resolutions you’re making!

They’ve got TVs mounted, treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, and bikes all ready to go for you!

It will be a 24-hour, keycard-entry service.  They even have a nice loop you can use to walk and talk with friends. 

You can head to Walnut City Hall for your membership!   

Their memberships offer you every option from family memberships to senior citizen ones! 

                Membership options:
                Adult (19-61)                                      $285/yr or $25/mo.
                Couple (19-61)                                   $340/yr or $31/mo.
                Senior (62+)                                       $220/yr or $21/mo.
                Senior Couple                                   $300/yr or $28/mo.
                Single Parent (1 adult+youth)          $315/yr. or $27/mo.
                Family (2 adults + youth)                 $375/yr. or $33/mo.
                Youth (16-18)                                     $130/yr or $12/mo.

If you don’t know much about the Walnut Community Center, it is located in the former Walnut High School.  They have done a tremendous job of refurbishing and redesigning the purpose of the building and the Walnut Community Center Foundation acts as a nonprofit providing community and recreation for the Walnut area. 

So not only are you getting an opportunity to get in better shape, fulfill those New Year’s resolutions, and feel good about yourself but you are helping out a local nonprofit and spreading the joy of community!  It’s a win-win-win!

Get your memberships today!

Kick the new year off right Pott. Co. style! 

If you’re looking for a family event, the best gig in town is the Impact Hill Family New Year’s Eve.  They do a ball drop at 7 for the littles and another one at midnight for the older kids.  Bring a snack to share and the concession stand will be open, too, otherwise it’s all free!  Yes, you heard me:  free.  They will have laser tag, rollerblading, bounce houses, games, etc. to ring in the new year.  Impact Hill is located in Oakland at the former Riverside High School turned nonprofit.  We went last year and I can honestly say it is ideal for a family with munchkins!  Ours loved it!

There are also lots of restaurants in the area doing evening specials and then moving to adult fun after. 

Silos in Treynor will be serving a fried chicken meal early.  Later in the evening, they’ll have a DJ and free pizza and champagne to ring in the new year!  Can’t go wrong with that!

Minden Bowl will be offering Surf and Turf or Prime Rib for their holiday meal.  It’s 2 for $42 for the regular size or 2 for $44 for the large!  Love me some Surf and Turf and Prime Rib!  How does one decide??

The Station in Hancock will be serving up BOGO appetizers, $8 single topping pizzas, and $2 domestic beers to help you celebrate the evening!

The Bar’N and Grill in Carson will also be offering a steak meal early followed by drink specials, free champagne at midnight and breakfast burritos starting at 12 for those late night munchies!

But if you’re one of those people that likes to dress up, here’s your chance:  Tailgators in Oakland will be having their Roaring 20’s Party for New Year’s starting at 8pm.  Dress up in your 20’s attire (or not) and ring in the new year!  Free glass of champagne at midnight!

Then if you recover early enough from your late night, you can spend your New Year’s Day in a couple of ways!

Impact Sports will be offering a 3-on-3 basketball tournament all day Wednesday for 7th & 8th grade boys and adults wanting to play!  Yes, you can register that day!  All play will be held at the Riverside High School Gym.  Go here for more details.

Or if you’re more of a sit-and-watch-kind, Silos will have the bowl games on all day with $2 Busch Lights and $1 Jell-O shots!
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So yes, we will keep you busy in Pott. Co.  Be sure to take advantage of the fun!

It's the end-of-the-year WIDA Awards!  Have your say in 6 unique categories about the best of rural Pott. Co. and get signed up to win a Painted Camel Gift Card!

Simply click on the link below and post your faves in these 6 categories:

*Coldest Beer in the County (rural parts)

*Most Original, yet Tasty Sandwich

*Best Kept Secret/Hidden Gem of the County

*1st Place you'd Take your Grandma to See in Pott. Co.

*Most Loyal Store Owners

*Best News in Pott. Co. of 2019

Just click on this link to take part:  VOTE HERE!

Not only will you get to share your thoughts, but you can win a gift card to The Painted Camel Art Gallery in Macedonia for doing it!  Just be sure to fill out the survey by midnight on January 3. 

Yes, these are meant to a be a fun little end to the year and a chance to cheer on our favorite places in Pott. Co. because supporting local helps all of us, but it is also our chance to say "Job Well Done" to those that provide for us every day of the year.

All category winners will receive big shout-outs in our upcoming WIDA newsletter and on social media!  

As we end 2019 and kick off a fresh new year in 2020, let us remember to reflect on the gift of living in rural communities where we look out for one another, win together, and cheer on those making our world a better one.  

PS - Have an opinion of what awards should be added for next year? By all means, leave us a comment or email us at EricaForWIDA@gmail.com.    

So time kinda got away from you and you’re doing that last-minute Christmas shopping you swore wouldn’t happen this year?  And you really don’t want to face the mob scene in the city?  Yep, been there.  And lucky for you, Pottawattamie County is ready for you!  

Think clothes from The Twisted Sisters Boutique in Neola, ReStored in Walnut, Sideline Tees in Neola, Blossoms in Oakland, or gently used clothes at Guilty Pleasures in Shelby or Ours to Yours in Oakland and Iowa Kids Outfitter in Avoca!

Think furniture from Amy's Attic in Carson or The Granary Mall in Walnut!

Think food from The Buck Snort in Neola and Oakland, The Dew Drop Inn in McClelland, Silos in Treynor, Back Forty in Macedonia, The Bar'N and Grill in Carson, Garcia's in Underwood, The Pink Poodle, Henry's Diner, and Denny's Place in Crescent!  And possibly the best bakery ever at Roberts Bakery in Walnut!

Think wine from Breezy Hills in Minden or Prairie Crossing in Treynor!

Think beef jerky and cheese from Minden Meat Market, Gress Locker in Hancock, Jon's Naturals in McClelland, or Jack Links in Underwood!

Get your coffee or hot chocolate at the Treynor Java Supply!!!

Get that piece of priceless art at The Painted Camel in Macedonia or Penny's Visions in Neola!

Get that car wash kit or emergency supply kit at NAPA in Oakland or Avoca!

Grab collectibles at the Avoca Florist (Willow Tree) or Lehan's in Minden (Precious Moments) and Blossoms has all kinds of them, too!

Or find that perfect antique one-of-a-kind in Walnut!  

Just remember your favorite places in town and they'll be everyone else's favorites soon, too!

#SupportLocal #ShopLocal #PottCountyLoyal #SmallTownLifeIsTheBestLife 

Experience Christmas the Pott. Co. Way!  It seems to me that nobody needs more stuff collecting dust on a shelf, or even the kitchen table, as the case may be! Lol.

So what do you give?  You give “experiences!” 

Why not buy movie passes to The Phoenix in Neola or the Dreamland Theatre in Carson?  Cheaper popcorn and that small town feel! 

And, in my opinion, it’s never too early to start dreaming of summer!  Swing by City Hall to buy that summer pool pass to Oakland’s pool or Avoca’s.  (Oh, and don’t forget to get that Dairy Queen gift card for blizzards after the pool on a hot day!)

More of a golfer than a swimmer?  Buy those memberships at the Riverside-Oakland Golf Course or Treynor Recreation Area or Quail Run in Neola!  Or if they already have a regular membership, just pay for green fees at one of the other courses for them to “try out” on a special day next summer!

And for those camping, fishing, hunting types, why not get them a 2020 fishing or hunting license?  Park passes are free for in-staters and, with a license, they’ll be ready to go!  They can start early!

Thinking maybe someone needs to keep in shape this winter instead?  The Walnut Community Center is opening a brand new wellness center on January 2 and you can give the gift of membership!  Oakland, Carson, Neola, Life Fitness Center in Crescent, and Treynor Fit all sell yearly gym memberships, too!

As much as I’m willing to talk gym memberships, I’d rather talk food!  Why not give gift cards to some local haunts?  You won’t be sorry!  Back Forty in Macedonia offers some amazing specials for lunch!  The Bar ‘N and Grill in Carson even offers Chinese food night!  The Station in Hancock has gourmet comfort food this time of year!  The Dew Drop Inn in McClelland has what I consider the best burger in Pott. Co!  Silos in Treynor does prime rib night every second Saturday of the month!  Walnut has possibly the best bakery this side of the Missouri.  Head to the Roberts Bakery ASAP! Yum! And here’s your chance to check out the new Mexican restaurant in Underwood:  Garcia’s!  Rumor has it – you’ll be glad you did!  And The Buck Snort in Oakland and Neola are both doing their buy $40 gift card, get a $10 card free!

On a diet for the new year?  Well, there’s always getting gift cards to get your mani-pedi done with your favorite grandma or 5-year-old!  Polish’d in Avoca, Teresa Algood’s shop in Oakland, and The Polish Bar in Carson all offer that!

And who doesn’t love a massage?  Check out Bell Massage Therapy in Shelby or Ahh-Spirations in Oakland, get a Groupon for Taylor’s Trims and Tans Spa in Underwood, or The Compassionate Wellness Center in Crescent.

Don’t forget those hair salons, too!  You can’t go wrong with those weekly hair visits or that gift card for highlights like New Image Beauty Salon in Shelby, Shear Designs by Mischa in Oakland, or Mindy’s Mane in Walnut to name a few!

And finally, be sure to contact Lynn Cody and get those tickets to the 80’s Lip Sync Contest Fundraiser on Saturday, January 25th at the Carson Community Center!

Trust me when I say that you can’t lose with a great time!  The gift of time spent doing something you love or something fun is the best gift in this day and age!  And Pott. County can provide it all, just for you!

​It is a marathon weekend of events in Pott. Co. this weekend!  If you’re looking to take advantage of the beautiful weather, no worries, we’ve got a multitude of things for you to do!

It should be perfect for the Winter Wonderland Night Hike at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek!  It starts at 6pm Friday night and they couldn’t have picked a better night to have it!  It is booked full as of now, so hopefully, you already got your tickets to see the stars and feel that sense of Christmastime peace!

If you happen to be headed to the Underwood vs. AHSTW basketball game instead on Friday night, be sure to go hungry and participate in the Taco/Nacho Bar Fundraiser for the Underwood Dollars for Scholars.  Chip in for a good cause and get some yummy tacos, too!

Saturday will be a big day in Shelby!  It’s their annual Christmas celebration and they have plenty for you to do! It all starts with the Countdown to Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair from 9am to 3pm at Cardinal Lofts.  They always have a lot of awesome stuff!  Then the rest of the day is spent on “Light up the Holidays!”  My personal fave is the judging of the Parade of Trees!  Last year, they had some very imaginative entries!  I can’t wait to see what they have this year! 

The festivities run from 11am to 3pm with Santa arriving at 2.  There will be a soup luncheon with desserts at the Shelby Fire Hall.  There will also be make-and-take crafts, wagon rides, cookie decorating, and face-painting!  So many great options for kids!  Plus, add in the great weather and it’s a total score!

Also, on Saturday, the Crescent Roadhouse Bar and Grill will be hosting a Craft, Bake, and Stuff Fair!  Another opportunity to shop from small vendors and get that Christmas shopping taken care of with unique gifts!  It will take place from 11am to 3pm, as well.

If you can’t catch Santa at 2 in Shelby, you can see him at The Buck Snort in Oakland at 4!  He sure will be making the rounds this weekend in Pott. Co!  They’re also running their annual toy drive with Keast Auto Body if you’d like to drop off a gift for a local child in need!

One of my favorite treats of the holiday season happens at Impact Hill this Saturday in Oakland.  They put on a Parents Night Out event!  You pay $15 and they basically put on a party for your kids while you get your shopping and wrapping done or take that much needed nap!  It runs from 3pm to 8pm.  It’s a win-win for everyone!

Need something fun while the kids are gone, go hit the Treynor American Legion for bingo starting at 6:30!  Who doesn’t like a good night of bingo?

Or get in on the American Heroes Night honoring Veterans and First Responders at The Palace Event Center.  What a special gift!

Sunday brings the lighting contest in Underwood (see the flyer on our website) and 3, yes, 3 opportunities to see Santa!  You can breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Walnut from 8 to 1 at the Walnut Community Center. How cool is it that you can have pancakes with Santa? 

If you’d rather just do a meet-and-greet with the jolly old elf, head to the Hancock City Hall to talk with him starting at 10:30am (see the flyer on our website)!

Or you can catch him in McClelland at 2pm at the McClelland City Hall!

If you’re thinking Santa’s helpers need to do a little Christmas shopping instead on Sunday, make your way to the 4th Annual Holiday Fair in Neola at the NACC from 9am to 2pm. 

Another option is to watch the 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Competition at the East Pott. Extension building in Oakland from 1:30 to 3 on Sunday.  They had some pretty cool ones last year!

If you’d rather hear a little singing, you need to check out the Christmas Cantata being performed at the United Methodist Church in Macedonia.  A community choir of AMAZING singers get together every year to put on a concert you won’t want to miss. (See the flyer on our website.)

But there will also be singing involved at the Hometown Christmas in Shelby starting at 4pm. 
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I truly don’t think there’s any way you can’t find something to do this weekend in Pottawattamie!  I’m exhausted just listing all of it!  Whatever you want, we’ve got it! 

And, as always, a simple reminder that every person that walks through that door validates the efforts by so many volunteers that make our county a great one!  #SupportLocal #PottCounty #SeeIowa