Cy Hawk Game
SHOW US YOUR TEAM SPIRIT!
POST YOUR FAVORITE GAME DAY PICTURE OF WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WIN ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Godbersen Foundation
Head on down to the City Park and check out the newest additions! The community of Ida Grove is extremely grateful to the Godbersen Foundation for the donation of these amenities!
Basketball Courts at City Park
While we’re all very excited to get out and use the new courts at City Park, please refrain for the remainder of the day today and all day tomorrow to allow the coating to dry properly. The courts should be ready for full use on Wednesday, August 4th.
Jacket Found
City Hall recently received a child’s jacket that was found from the events during Heritage Days. Please contact City Hall at 364-2428 to describe and claim this jacket.
Community Watch
Please share with those on your friends list…
The Blocks for our Community have been established. There are 5 blocks. We have a volunteer for Block 4. We are in need of captains for Blocks 1, 2, 3, & 5. If you are willing to visit your neighbors and share information with them, please consider being a Block Captain. The map is attached for you to review. The next meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at the Ida Grove Public Library.
Fireworks Permitted Hours
With the 4th of July only being a couple weeks away, we want to remind citizens of Ida Grove that certain fireworks are permitted only during the following times, and to please be cautious and courteous of neighboring property owners.
(1) From the Saturday before July 4th until the Sunday after July 4th.
(2) Between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. with the exception of July 4th or any Saturday within the permitted days, the hours are expanded to be between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
(3) Noon on December 31st until 1:00 a.m. on January 1st.
(4) The mayor, in consultation with the fire chief or any other persons, has the authority to suspend the use of fireworks during the above hours, when the mayor determines it is in the public interest to suspend the use of fireworks. A person shall not be convicted of a violation, for use during such suspension, unless it is proven that such person had actual knowledge of the suspension. Actual knowledge may be proven by testimony that the person was given a verbal warning. City Code 8.40.030
Heritage Days ~Honoring Our Hometown Heroes~ Schedule of Events
Heritage Days will officially kick off this Thursday, June 24th! Come on out to enjoy the events that are taking place for this years celebration!
Click here for the schedule of events
Ida Grove Library plans two Heritage Days Events
The Ida Grove Library is pleased to announce two special events to add to this year’s Heritage Days festivities. First, stop by the city park for a FREE, fun, family event with the Iowa PBS STEAM trailer. All ages are invited to join us for exploration and play as we host the STEAM Trailer filled with activities centered around science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The Iowa PBS STEAM trailer will be located in the city park from 12 pm -4 pm on Saturday, June 26th.
Then, stop by the King Theater where we will be hosting special guest speaker, Dr. John Chase. Dr. Chase will share memories and stories from his book “You What!? Humorous stories, cautionary tales, and unexpected insights about a career in medicine”. Dr. Chase will speak at 3:30 pm and a book signing will follow the presentation. Books will be available to purchase at the event for $15 each.
We hope you’ll make time to join in these festivities and more to celebrate Ida Grove!
Missing Dog
The City of Ida Grove has picked up a lost female blue heeler dog. If anyone has any information regarding her, please contact City Hall at 364-2428.
Pleasant Valley Trail
The Pleasant Valley Trail repairs have been completed. The trail is now open for the public to use and enjoy.
Welcome Signs
If you have been on the east or west side of town, you will notice that we have begun placing new welcome signs! Keep an eye out for the finished product!
Pleasant Valley Trail
With warmer weather just around the corner, everyone will be itching to get outdoors. The trail will be undergoing some maintenance for repair and improvements. Reminder to citizens that under the mayor’s proclamation, the trail is currently closed until May 1st.
Lost Dog
The City has picked up a lost dog. If you have any information please contact City Hall at 364-2428 as soon as possible. We would like to see this dog back home with its owner before the weekend!
Congratulations OABCIG Dance Team
We would like to congratulate our OABCIG Girls Dance Team on their State Championship in Class 1 Contemporary and their 4th place finish in Class IV Hip Hop! Congratulations also to the 5 soloist performers that earned the Division 1 rating in Class IV solos! Way to Go! OABCIG Proud!
Lost Dog
The City has this fella in custody. If he belongs to you or you have any information on his owner, please contact City Hall at 712-364-2428.
From the Mayor
Hello Ida Grove. First off this week I wanted to talk about COVID. I have gotten several messages about worries in our county. We are taking some additional steps in the city to keep our employees safe. We are encouraging rotating in city hall and working from home. Trying to keep our social distancing. We have moved all city council meetings and other city meetings back to electronic meetings. We did discuss at our council meeting last night that we would close city hall to the public, except by appointment only. The numbers have been getting high in our county. As of today Ida County has had 2055 tested, 353 positive, 170 recovered and 5 deaths. One death is too many. My thoughts and prayers go out to these families. Let us do our part to be a part of the solution and not add to the problem. We are our own first line of defense. Hospitals are at capacity, healthcare workers are depleted. I really encourage people to stay home if they are sick or if someone in their household tests positive. Social Distance when you can if you cannot wear a mask. Wash hands frequently and sanitize. Lets work together to beat this virus. Please be safe out there. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by COVID. Also praying for our country with this election going on. Praying for our leadership. No matter who is announced President; we are America and I feel we will all pull together and be stronger. Just wanted to give a shout out to the OABCIG Football Team. Congratulations on your trip to the dome in Cedar Falls. Bring home the Championship! The community is very proud of you guys!
Feel free to reach out to me with any concerns or questions.
Very Humble and Proud to Serve Ida Grove
Mayor Devlun Whiteing
CONGRATULATIONS OABCIG FALCONS!
We would like to congratulate the OABCIG Falcon Football Boys on their advancement to play in the championship game against Van Meter this Friday 11/20/2020.
GO FALCONS!!!
Trick or Treating
To all the Ghosts and Ghouls,
Unfortunately, the Annual Pumpkin Parade has been cancelled this year due to COVID.
However, Mask it up as Trick or Treating is still on and will be held on Saturday, October 31st from 6-8p.m.
For the safety of yourself and others, please stay within your group and maintain social distancing from other groups as much as possible.
Trees Please!
Yesterday, Parks Superintendent Bob Lorenzen, picked up 11 autumn blaze maple trees that will be planted in the City Park. The trees were purchased as part the Trees Please! grant the City received from MidAmerican Energy earlier this year.
Outdoor Pool Rules/Guidelines as Approved by Council Friday, June 12, 2020
Plan for operation of Ida Gove Outdoor Pool
Target opening date: Monday, June 22, 2020
Target close date: TBD
This will allow time to get staff hired and paperwork completed for them, plus pre-season meetings completed with extra training needed for new rules and regulations.
Cleaning and disinfection will be enhanced. In addition to the regular lifeguard positions, there will be a guard on each shift with the role of being “deck monitor.” They will be responsible for keeping people socially distanced. They will also clean handrails and high touch points often. Managers will be there as much as possible to help with those duties and to field questions/concerns.
Boxes around guard stations will be extended so that they do not have to wear a mask.
Hand sanitizer will be available at the front counter.
Social distancing is required IN AND OUT OF THE WATER.
When patrons enter the facility, they will state their name and a contact number. The lifeguard working in the bath house will write it down in case contact tracing has to be done.
Spots 6 feet apart will be marked on the sidewalk for forming a line.
Once a patron leaves the facility, they will not be allowed back in during that time slot.
Deck chairs will not be available. Patrons will have to bring their own, if they choose. Spots will be marked on the deck to space everyone out at least 6 ft. This will also be where patrons should go if the pool has to be cleared for a rescue or during a break.
There will be increased signage stating the risks of covid-19 and how to prevent it.
If a staff person becomes ill, they must report it immediately to managers and recreation director.
Patrons shall not gather in the changing rooms.
The following amenities will be closed: baby pool, slides
This is due to the inability to keep them sanitized effectively. The baby pool is a fill and drain type of pool and it is difficult to keep between 2-4 ppm of chlorine throughout the day. The slide has touch points all the way up and all the way down. Plus, the slides were not inspected this year. Not running the slides eliminates two guard positions. Additionally, whoever is at the bottom catching is not able to socially distance and gets a face full of water and possibly spit on.
Diving board use will be limited.
There will be a limited number of 40 swimmers allowed for each session; first come, first served. We added an extra session to help spread out the crowds. If we find that restrictions are required, we reserve the right to adjust accordingly, which may include limiting patrons to County or School District residence.
Due to a very limited season and there being a limit of swimmers in each session, passes will not be sold. Daily admission will be per person and session and will be determined prior to opening for the season.
Monday-Friday
Lap Swim/Water Walking 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (12:00 PM-12:30 PM clean)
Limited swimming 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM (2:30 PM -3:00 PM clean)
Limited swimming 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (5:00 PM-5:30 PM clean)
Limited swimming 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (final cleaning after 7:30 PM)
Saturday & Sunday
Limited swimming 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (3:00 PM -3:30 PM clean)
Limited swimming 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (final cleaning after 5:30 PM)
Masks must be worn by staff when they are in the bath house. Patrons shall wear a mask when social distancing cannot be accomplished.
Patrons shall not enter the facility if they have any of the covid-19 symptoms.
Nobody under the age of 12 will be admitted without an adult. Those who are considered “babysitters” must be at least 16 years old. Waivers may be required and will be determined prior to the opening date.
Lifeguards in the stand shall NEVER be responsible for policing social distancing and other covid-19 rules.
There will be no concessions or drinking fountain. Water bottles with a closable lid will be allowed. No glass water bottles will be allowed.
There will be no private parties.
There shall be no goggle sharing.
There will be no group swimming lessons. Private lessons will be allowed if guards provide a plan to managers about how they will follow covid-19 guidelines.
Patrons will be removed if they are found spitting water or are found in violation of any pool guidelines, including but not limited to the updated guidelines for the 2020 season.
If we are notified that a staff person or patron has tested positive for covid-19, we reserve the right to close for no less than three days.
These rules, regulations and hours of operation may be modified at any time.
Fireworks Ordinance Reminder***
The 4th of July will be here before we know it! Please see the below information regarding the City of Ida Grove’s ordinance on fireworks.
Fireworks are allowed only during the following times:
A violation of this section is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250.00. The city also may enforce a violation of this section by any other lawful means including injunctive relief. [Ord. 558 § 1, 2018; Code 1975 § 3-1.0405, 1975.
For the full ordinance, please see the online city code here Online City Code or contact City Hall.
Ball Field Rules/Guidelines
The City of Ida Grove Youth Ball Fields will be open on June 2nd for use of our Rec Center Summer League softball and baseball teams to practice only if they meet the following guidelines:
- The coach of the team needs to submit a plan and get it approved by our Rec Center Director, Chelsea Gross, to start practicing. The below guidelines must be met to get your plan approved.
- No Dugouts can be used for practice. Players equipment must be lined up along the fence 6’ apart.
- Parents must remain in their cars or drop off and pick up players after practice.
- Players should use their own gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible.
- Coaches are responsible for enduring social distancing is maintained between players as much as possible. This means additional spacing between players while playing catch changing drills, so that players remain spaced out. No congregating of players while waiting to bat.
- Players must bring their own water/beverage to consume during and after practice. No shared drinking fountains, or coolers can be used.
- Coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each use.
- Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 is not allowed to practice
- Coaches should be knowledgeable of their player with preexisting health conditions and work with health officials to take additional precautions as needed.
- Players will be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer.
- Coaches must ban the spitting of sunflower seeds.
- Coaches are responsible for tracking absences for the purpose of noting possible COVID-19 cases.
- Contact public health if a positive case of COVID-19 is reported.
- Signs must be posted indicating no one should participate in practice or attend games if they currently have symptoms or have been in contact with anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days.
Right now, all leagues have cancelled their games. There are no games scheduled at this time. If we decide to do games this summer, there will be more guidelines for fans and concessions. We are hoping to possibly play some local towns or split some in town teams to play each other. Nothing is set up for games yet.
We are opening this to give the kids something to do outside and be a part of a team. This must be done safely. Teams will not be approved until they have a plan that meets the criteria above.
The Rec Center Director, Chelsea Gross, has the authority to remove individual players or teams that do not follow the COVID-19 rules set in place in this document.
This is also subject to change, depending on what happens in the future.
Ida Grove Mayor,
Devlun Whiteing
City Owned Parks Opening
Council voted during their regular city council meeting on Monday, May 4, 2020 to open some portions of City owned parks and allow for recreational use as follows:
The City of Ida Grove Parks and Trails will be open to the public for recreation, but due to COVID-19 concerns playground equipment, restrooms, and picnic shelters will remained closed until further notice. All drinking fountains will be turned off. Tennis courts are closed due to the overhaul. Basketball courts will be open to shoot baskets for members of the same household. Team sports, pick up games and contact play are prohibited.
The city has installed caution tape around playground equipment; please stay off of it. We are asking residents to do their part to keep family, friends, neighbors, and the community safe. Signage will be posted at each park regarding the closures. The City’s priority is protecting the health and safety of our residents and continue to serve the public.
When visiting a public space, use your best judgement and act responsibly. Bring your own sanitation supplies with you and adhere to recommended guidelines of keeping social gatherings to less than 10 people, with members of the same household, and observing social distancing standards of staying at least 6’ from others. If you do not feel well or have been sick stay home.
Ida Grove Library to offer No Contact Pickup
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ida Grove Library closed our building to the public on March 17, 2020. To minimize the impact that our closure is having on our community, we will begin offering an alternative way to check out materials for patrons who wish to utilize library service while maintaining a minimal risk of exposure for both staff and patrons.
Starting Friday, April 24, 2020, the Ida Grove Library will offer a No Contact Pickup of library materials following these guidelines:
- Pickup of items from the library will be held on Fridays from 9:20 am to 3:40 pm, in 20-minute intervals to ensure social distancing guidelines are met and allowing staff to clean and sanitize the pickup location.
- To find items, use the library’s online catalog by clicking on the ‘search catalog’ on the library website www.idagrove.lib.ia.us. Please note the title of the item and author when requesting items.
- To request your items and schedule a pickup time, call the library at 364-2306 or email [email protected] to schedule a time and provide a list of your requested materials.
- Cut off time is 4 pm on Wednesday before the pickup day.
- At the scheduled pick up time, items will be located in our new book house at the back entrance of the library allowing you to pick up items without contact with staff or other patrons.
- Staff will not be present at the pickup location in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.
- Returns will not be accepted at the back door, returns should be placed in the regular book return located at the front entrance of the library to allow staff to follow sanitization guidelines already in place for returned items.
Since the length of our closure is undetermined at this time and we have had many requests from patrons for additional reading materials, implementing this service at this time will allow us to serve our community through these difficult times. Depending upon the future situation and the length of our closure, we will re-evaluate at a later date to determine if we need to increase the number of days we offer the service or if any changes need to be made.
We thank you for your understanding and patience as we try to navigate through the current situation and determine additional ways to serve our community until we can re-open our doors and see you @ your library.
Iowa Foundation for Parks and Recreation
The City of Ida Grove was recently notified of receipt of the 2020 Mini Grant through the Iowa Parks and Recreation Foundation. The City was awarded $500 to go towards sprucing up the shelter house located at City Park. The chimney has already been removed and the roof has been patched. Next steps in the project are to replace rotting boards and re-paint the shelter house. We look forward to seeing the finished project by late Summer and are grateful for the generosity of the Foundation for the funding assistance.
Trees Please!
As most of you know, the Ida Grove City Park is full of ash trees, which are subject to the Emerald Ash Borer. Knowing this, the City applied for the Trees Please! grant through MidAmerican Energy and was recently informed of grant award! The typical award amount for this grant is $1,000; however, the City of Ida Grove was awarded $2,000 in funding towards the project! Thank you to MidAmerican Energy and the Trees Please! grant for this wonderful opportunity to plant some new tree species in the City Park! We look forward to beginning this project!
Paint Iowa Beautiful
The City of Ida Grove recently applied for a paint grant in order to spruce up the City’s pump house located on Iowa Street. We are proud to announce that the Paint Iowa Beautiful Foundation has notified the City of award of 6 gallons of paint for the beautification project! We look forward to getting the project underway as the weather warms up!
Upgrading Ida Grove
We thought we would spread some cheer today and share with you all the new and exciting things happening in town. This week, Godbersen-Smith Construction began work on the tennis courts located in City Park. The finished project will feature 1 tennis court and 2 pickle ball courts. The upgrade is from a very generous donation from the Godbersen Foundation!
Also happening this week is the beginning of construction work to install the last set of lights at the ball complex by the High School. A big Thank You to the Ida Grove Kiwanis for their hard work and dedication to get this upgrade completed!
Happy Census Day!
Did you know today is Census Day? Do your part by responding to the Census TODAY. Keep in mind, April 1 is the designated date used to answer the many expected questions for various living situations. For example, children born or before April 1, 2020 should be counted during this census. If you move during 2020, where you slept on the evening of April 1, 2020 is the address you should use when completing the census.
Census workers have delayed door-to-door approaches at this time due to COVID-19, however, in the future, if you don’t want a knock at your door, you can respond to the Census Bureau soon by one of the following options: visiting: my2020census.gov. Or by phone: 844-330-2020. Or by returning your mailer that was sent out to all addresses.
Thank you for your cooperation and support of our community!
IG Library Offering Digital Library Cards
Starting Tuesday, March 24, the Ida Grove Library will be offering digital cards for residents of Ida Grove and Ida County who currently do not have a valid Ida Grove Library Card. This digital card will allow access to online resources available through the library, including access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases, and other resources during the time that the library is closed to the public.
A digital library card will work as a temporary, three-month card and will need to be renewed in person at the time the card expires. To renew the card in person when the library reopens, patrons will need to verify identity by providing a valid driver’s license or ID card and proof of address.
More information about this new service and the online application is available through the library website: www.idagrove.lib.ia.us/services/digital-library-card
If you already have an Ida Grove Public Library card, you do not need a digital card to access digital materials. Please call 364-2306 or email [email protected] to request your current library card number.
Have you submitted your 2020 Census Questionnaire?
If you have not submitted your 2020 Census Questionnaire, now is the perfect time to do it! It only requires about 10 minutes or less of your time. The Census Bureau has made it easier than ever to respond; by phone, online or mail. Visit 2020census.gov to submit online – all you need is your Census ID which was provided to everyone by mail! Your community is counting on YOU to respond as the information aides in funding numerous programs for your community such as grant opportunities, money for street repairs, money for schools/hospitals, etc. As of today, the national census response rate is 16.7% with Iowa having a response rate of 21.6% – let’s keep those responses coming!
Important City Updates
The City Council held an emergency meeting this morning at 8:00 am to discuss proactive measures regarding COVID-19. As a result of the meeting, the following decisions were made:
City Hall is closed to the public, effective immediately, until further notice. If you need assistance, please call City Hall at 712-364-2428. All payments/correspondence can be dropped off in the drop box located directly outside of City Hall.
The Rec Center is closed to the public as of close of business tonight
The Library is closed to the public as of close of business tonight
These were not easy decisions for the Council to make – but they did so with our community’s best interest at heart. All events/meetings that were scheduled at the above places have also been cancelled or postponed. Please follow the City’s website and Facebook page for further updates. You may subscribe to receive updates at www.idagroveia.com
We thank you all for your understanding during this uncertain time!
Author Cheryl Mullenbach to visit Ida Grove Library
Author Cheryl Mullenbach will be visiting the Ida Grove Library at 6pm on March 26th for a special program highlighting Iowa’s Misbehaving Women.
It’s been said that well-behaved women seldom make history. Author Cheryl Mullenbach has uncovered the stories of Iowa’s intriguing women and invites you to meet these heroic, amusing, imaginative, nervy individuals. Learn about Iowa’s female riverboat captain, livery manager/cigar seller, and Cedar Rapids’ “girl in the trenches.” And, of course, there’s Iowa City’s “first woman executive,” who boasted, “I am 52 years old, don’t care who knows it; and I’m going to clean up this town and then run it properly.” And certainly the woman who spearheaded a drive to provide “vermin-proof underwear” to World War I soldiers in the trenches will capture the audience’s attention. Although history has forgotten these misbehaving women, we’ll take time to remember.
Cheryl Mullenbach is an award-winning Iowa author of non-fiction books. The American Library Association, International Literacy Association, and National Council for Social Studies have recognized her young people’s books about World War II, the Great Depression, the Industrial Revolution, and women in law enforcement. C-SPAN’s “Book TV” series broadcast her talk at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum at Hyde Park, NY, for the Roosevelt Reading Festival in 2014. Cheryl’s latest book for adults, Stagecoach Women, has just been released; and her Iowa history column appears in Iowa History Journal. Learn more at www.CherylMullenbachInk.com
We hope you will mark your calendars and join us at the library to find out more about the misbehaving women of Iowa!
St. Patty’s Day Celebration!
Come out and have some fun on Saturday, March 14, 2020! Proceeds will support the annual Heritage Days event held the last weekend in June. The Committee has a great evening planned for all ages. Grab some friends, make plans to attend and get your tickets today!!!
Annual Ida Grove Chamber Easter Party
The date has been set for the annual Easter Party sponsored by the Ida Grove Chamber!
Where: Ida Grove Skate Palace
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2020
Time: 10:00 am
Join the Chamber Members for a fun-filled morning to include an Easter egg hunt, games, door prizes, face painting, cupcake walk and a photo opp with the Easter Bunny!
Happy New Year – 2020
City Hall will be closing at 11:30 am on Tuesday, December 31st and will be closed Wednesday, January 1st for New Years. We wish you all a healthy and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you next year when we re-open on Thursday, January 2, 2020!
Merry Christmas
City Hall will be closing at 11:30 am today and will be closed all day December 25, 2019 for Christmas. The Mayor, Elected Officials and City Staff would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Ida Grove Library to host Holiday Open House & Raffle Fundraiser
The Ida Grove Library will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7, from 9 am – 2 pm. Included in the open house is a bake & book sale in the Heritage Room and holiday raffle fundraiser. The holiday raffle fundraiser will run through December 14, and winners will be drawn on December 16. Chances for the raffle are $1 each or 6 for $5.
Wondering what we have on our holiday raffle table? Items on this year’s raffle table include:
Set of 5 LED Candles with Remote
Lego Creator set (Gingerbread House)
Magforce Magnets in Motion set
American Girl Wellie Wishers “Willa” Doll
Large Insulated Bag
Drone with a camera
Vera Bradley suitcase/travel set
Autographed Copy of Lisa Scottoline’s “Someone Knows”
Echo Dot & Smart Home Plug (4) set
Hat and Mitten set
Handmade Crochet Scarf
Nail Art set
Autographed set of Doug Clough’s “Colorful Characters” and Life, Love, and Laughter from My Backyard”
Set of 3 LED Candles with Remote
Set of 2 Children’s movie passes
“Pony Express” – Framed Pheasants Forever Print of the Year 2000-2001 by James A. Meger
“Storm Break” – Framed Pheasants Forever Print of the Year 2001-2002 by James A. Meger
Cozy Winter Nights Book Basket ( 5 books, blanket, mug, hot cocoa, and popcorn included)
Thanks to all of our donors for their generous donations to this year’s raffle table, we appreciate all of your support! All proceeds from the raffle fundraiser will support library programs and events throughout the year. We hope you’ll stop in to see us during the open house and take a chance on some of these great items!
Savor Iowa’s Culinary History in Ida Grove on November 14
What comes to mind when you think of Iowa food? Everyone has an Iowa food story, and Lake City, Iowa, author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby will bring these stories to life on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at the Ida Grove Public Library in Ida Grove for a free Adventures in Iowa’s Culinary History program and book signing starting at 6:00 p.m.
“From Iowa originals like Maid-Rites to kolaches to homemade cinnamon rolls—served with chili, of course—there are many remarkable stories behind Iowa’s tastiest traditions,” said Maulsby, Iowa’s Storyteller, who has been featured in the Iowa History Journal, Our Iowa magazine, Iowa Public Radio and more. “Pull up a chair, and relish what you missed in history class.”
During her fun, interactive program, Maulsby serves up fascinating tidbits and cooking tips related to more than 150 years of Iowa cuisine and ethnic food traditions, from all corners of the state, with stories that include Iowa’s classic breaded pork tenderloins, church dinners, the historic Younkers Tea Room, Laura Ingalls Wilder and more. Discover how Iowa’s delectable cuisine is quintessentially Midwestern, grounded in its rich farming heritage and spiced with diverse ethnic influences.
Want to know where in Iowa you can dine at a James Beard award-winning steakhouse? Any idea where to find Iowa’s own distinctive style of potato chips, which might be the world’s best chips? What if you want to step back in time and enjoy a slice of homemade pie at an Iowa icon that first opened in 1852? You’ll pass the test with flying colors—and impress your friends—when you delve into Iowa’s culinary history.
“Even those who are well acquainted with Iowa food lore are sure to find something new and interesting,” said Julie Goodrich, who wrote a review of “A Culinary History of Iowa” in the Iowa History Journal. “Go on an adventure with this fun, fascinating and tasty tale of culinary traditions that weave through Iowa’s past and present.”
“I’m passionate about helping people make the farm-to-fork connection and reconnecting with Iowa history,” Maulsby said. “If you have an appetite for adventure, you can’t do better than Iowa when it comes to history, culture, and one-of-kind culinary experiences. ‘A Culinary History of Iowa’ offers a fun way to explore the world without leaving Iowa.”
Signed copies of “A Culinary History of Iowa” will be available during the event, along with Maulsby’s other non-fiction, illustrated Iowa history books (“Calhoun County” and “Dallas County”) and her postcard collections featuring rural Iowa images and postcards featuring favorite vintage photos from the Culinary History of Iowa book.
For more details, contact Angela Scales at the Ida Grove Public Library, 100 E 2nd St. (phone 712-364-2306), or Maulsby ([email protected]). You can also visit Maulsby online at www.darcymaulsby.com.
Ida Grove Library to host local author, Douglas Clough
The Ida Grove Library is honored to host guest speaker, Douglas Clough, on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30 pm. Clough, local author, and Ida Grove resident will speak about his newly published books, Colorful Characters from Our Backyard: 2009-2019 and Life, Love, and Laughter from My Backyard: 2009-2019.
Clough, a freelance writer since 2009, has been published in multiple local and regional publications, including the Ida County Courier, The Iowan, Farm News, Boating World, and Midwest Living magazine. Colorful Characters from Our Backyard is a compilation of Clough’s “From our backyard…” column, interspersed throughout with correspondences between Clough and Farm News. Life, Love, and Laughter from My Backyard is a collection of stories reflecting on his wonder years, married life, and life with his children and companion dogs.
Starting at 6:30 pm, Clough will share selections from his writing with the audience. Book sets will be available to purchase for $20; Clough will sign copies for those in attendance.
For more details, contact Angela Scales at the Ida Grove Public Library, 100 E 2nd St. (phone 712-364-2306). You can also visit Clough online at www.iowabackyard.com.
Mini-Mystery at Ida Grove Library
Reserve your time now! The library will be hosting a murder-free, family-friendly mini-mystery party on Friday, October 25th, from 11 am -3 pm.
Friendly monsters work together to solve a Halloween mystery. Every year, the monsters open their home on 213 Elm Street to the public on Halloween for a fright-filled haunted house tour. They use the proceeds from the haunted house to buy household supplies for the rest of the year, during which time the house stays boarded up and they stay inside. If the townspeople ever discovered the monsters in the haunted house were real, they would certainly drive them away – or worse.
Advertised for hundreds of miles on every billboard in every direction – “See The Thing!” “What is The Thing? See for Yourself!” – thrill-seekers and the merely curious come from distant cities to see The Thing, and it never disappoints. Those who have seen The Thing eagerly attest that it is the scariest sight they have witnessed in their entire lives. No one seems able to describe The Thing, and they all agree: you have to see it for yourself.
On the night before Halloween, the monsters just discovered that the key to the cellar where The Thing is kept is missing – someone has stolen it! Without The Thing, the haunted house will be a failure, the monsters’ reputations will be ruined, and they won’t have enough money to buy supplies for the rest of the year. How will they live and keep their identities secret? They have to find the key!
Are you ready to help them find the key? And figure out what The Thing in the cellar is? If you are adventurous and like a good mystery, sign up today! Your group must have 8 or more players. All ages are welcome to sign up, but independent reading skills are required to participate. Call 364-2306 to reserve your spot!
Ida Grove Library to host Iowa Author Linda McCann
The Ida Grove Library will host Iowa author, Linda McCann, for a special program about POWs in Iowa on Wednesday, October 23rd at 2 pm.
From 1943-1946, Iowa housed approximately 25,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war. While Algona and Clarinda were the main camps, and there were about 17 branches or short-term camps throughout Iowa; including a camp in Storm Lake. The POWs worked in farm fields and canning factories, often taking the place of young men off to war. Linda has spoken with people who worked directly with the POWs, gotten to know them, and will share their memories throughout the program.
Copies of McCann’s new book, POWs in Iowa, will be available to purchase after the program.
Caution: Chemical Spraying
Public Works crew members will be spraying for weeds over the next several weeks at City parks as well as other City property. These flags will be placed in all areas being sprayed, please refrain from walking through areas where this flag is present.
Ida Grove Library to host guest speaker, Barbara Lounsberry
The Ida Grove Library will host special guest speaker, Barbara Lounsberry, for “Nancy Drew: Iowa’s Heroine to the World” on Thursday September 19th at 6:30pm in the Heritage Room of the Ida Grove Library.
Nancy Drew is the most popular female detective in fiction. Today she even outsells Miss Marple, Agatha Christie’s venerable heroine. More than 200 million copies of Nancy Drew mysteries have been sold, and she has been translated into 17 different languages. Few know, however, that Nancy is an Iowa heroine and that her creator was Mildred Augustine of Ladora, Iowa. Augustine’s authorship of the first Nancy Drew mysteries—and single-handed creation of Nancy’s admirable character—were kept secret for more than 50 years. Equally distressing is the fact that as Nancy grew in popularity, her Iowa roots were disguised.
Nancy Drew and her creator are extraordinary role models for Iowa girls and boys, women and men. Augustine was herself an intrepid Nancy Drew-like figure. An academic pioneer (the first woman to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism), Augustine earned 6 airplane pilots licenses, including one for sea planing; wrote 130 books for young people; and continued her newspaper column “On the Go” through her 96th and last year of life. The presentation “Nancy Drew: Iowa’s Heroine to the World” is designed to fortify Iowans young and old.
Guest speaker, Barbara Lounsberry, was born and raised in Iowa and retired recently as a Professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. She has written books on literature and writing, and had the fun of editing three mystery novels set in Iowa, with each chapter written by a different Iowa author. Lounsberry’s latest books are a trilogy on Virginia Woolf and diaries. Lounsberry was named UNI’s Distinguished Scholar in 1994 and Outstanding Teacher in 1998. Lounsberry is the president of the Ruth Suckow Memorial Association and believes Iowa culture, like its soil, is incredibly rich.
We hope you will mark your calendars and join us for this program!
Join the City of Ida Grove’s Team at the Farmer’s Market
Join the City of Ida Grove staff and officials as they serve a delicious meal at the September 5th Farmer’s Market in downtown Ida Grove! Menu will include chili, cinnamon rolls and hot dogs. Please join us from 4:30-6:30 for this fundraiser!
Ida Grove Welcomes New Council Member
Mayor Devlun Whiteing welcomed the newest addition to the City Council Team on Wednesday August 21, 2019. Reynold McLead was appointed by the Ida Grove City Council to fill the Ward III Council vacancy created by former Council Member Scott Tomlinson moving out of the ward’s boundaries. McLead is not new to local government and comes to the Council after serving as the Chair of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Because McLead’s appointment is to fill a vacancy, his seat will be up for election this coming November. McLead reports that he intends to run for the open office at that time and is excited to serve the City in this capacity.
403 3rd St., Ida Grove, Iowa 51445