Gangster in Our Midst Sunday, October 20, 7pm at the Wilder Memorial Museum, Strawberry Point Another great immigrant story… The Wiltse family of Strawberry Point, Iowa played a prominent role in the early history of the village of Fairbank— the town upon which my historical novel Gangster in our Midst (2017) is based. Actually, this immigrant family left a legacy in both communities. I hope to see you on Oct. 20th at 7 pm, Wilder Foundation, Strawberry Point. Gangster in our Midst: Marshal Sweeney Delaney was just a rookie in his small Iowa town when Congress ratified the 18th Amendment. Prohibition threw the whole nation into a tailspin. Even teetotaling Christians jumped on the bandwagon and began making panther piss in a still behind the barn. Then—a Chicago gangster came to town. His name: Louie La Cava. Sweeney followed the adage: Keep your friends close; your enemies closer. Two old friends are part of his inner circle: Walter Bierkoff, a farmer and man of keen curiosity, and the perspicacious Father John Halpin, priest at the I. C. Catholic Church. BIOGRAPHY: BETTY BRANDT PASSICK is married and a grandmother, retired from a Fortune 500 Company, and spends her days with their bichon “Butters” at her side, while writing books renowned for their infusions of earthy soul, faith-isms, and Midwestern values. In early 2016, she decided to research the “mystery man” who first came to her Iowa hometown around 1920. Locals believed he had links to Al Capone, but no one knew for sure. Through FBI and police reports, newspaper accounts–and the embellished tales of those who knew the gangster best, she weaves this unique and sometimes wacky story. This is her third book.

Nature Kids – Fall Wreaths Saturday, October 5th, 10 am-11:30 am Osborne Park Reservations Required Join us at Osborne October 5th, 10 am for some fall crafting using natural elements found around the park. We will go for a hike to collect items that will be used to make a fall wreath for each child to take home. Nature Kids is for children 3-6 years of age. They must be accompanied by an adult and siblings are welcome to join. Registration is required. Call the Osborne Nature Center at 563-245-1516 for more information. All programs and events are listed on our website www.claytoncountyconservation.org and Facebook page, Clayton County Conservation. Osborne is located on Highway 13, ten miles north of Strawberry Point or five miles south of Elkader. The center is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday-Saturday and 12:00pm-4:00pm Sunday

Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6 Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13 Triangle Park and the Backwoods Don’t miss the fun in McGregor and Marquette! The first weekend will consist of the Great River Road Road Race, handcrafted arts and crafts from an array of vendors, live music, flea market, hawk watch, and end with the GRRRR Crawl and Poker Run! The second weekend will be jam packed full of arts and craft vendors, music, dance teams, along with local demonstrations in the Triangle Park! Check out the Chamber website and Facebook page for updates and full schedule.

September 20, 21, and 22 in Garber, IA Antique tractor pull, horse pull, demonstrations, live music, and more!

Northeast Iowa Farm Crawl September 21 and 22, 2019 Featuring local farm fresh foods! Choose your stops and explore at your own pace. FarmCrawl 2019 Poster

Pony Hollow 15K Run November 16, 2019 8 AM registration, 9 AM race start South Pony Hollow Trailhead Clayton County Conservation invites all runners to the 1st Annual Pony Hollow 15K on November 16th. This race will take you out and back on the scenic, flat, lime-chipped Pony Hollow Trail and the Elkader Exercise Trail. You will appreciate the beauty of this trail as it meanders in the trees along the Turkey River and Robert’s Creek. Race day registration will begin at 8 AM at the Elkader Little League Park located across the street from the South trailhead on corner of South High Street and Hwy 13. Race will start promptly at 9 AM. Pre-register before Oct 25th for $35 and to guarantee a long-sleeve performance shirt. Price will go to $45 for those registering after Oct 25th up to race day. Registrations may be picked up at Osborne, found on the www.claytoncountyconservation.org website, or by email request. For more information please call 563-245-1516 or email mscherf@claytoncountyia.gov. The funds raised from this race will be used for future trail expansion efforts to join the two Pony Hollow trail heads into a continuous loop. Not a runner but still want to support this project? Donations can be accepted at Clayton County Conservation. We are also looking for volunteers to help on race day. PHT 15K Poster

River Park Place in Guttenberg is now Dam Dwellings at Lock #10 Open house and courtyard concert September 21, 2019 at 308 S. River Park Drive Live music by Eggen & Hippen from 11am-1pm! View stunning rental units and meet the new owners! For more information, visit Facebook.

22nd annual River Park Cruisers Car Show, Cruise, and Dance 22 classes and six specialty classes An all day event that concludes at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg! September 21, 2019 Car show: 12-1:30pm Registration: 9am-12pm Cruise leaves at approximately 3:30pm after awards are given at the Welcome Center, 323 S. River Park Drive, Guttenberg. A dance will follow the cruise at Lakeside Ballroom. For more information, visit Facebook, the RPC website, or call 563-252-1336. Car Show, Cruise, And Dance Poster

Guttenberg GermanFest September 27-28, 2019 500-600 Blocks South River Park Drive Guttenberg, IA The 29th annual GermanFest in historic downtown Guttenberg, Iowa will be held September 27-28, 2019. This community event is a celebration of Guttenberg’s German heritage and features German food and beer, music, and traditional German dancing by the UNI Dance Team. German dog breed Dachshunds are welcome to participate in the popular “Weiner Dog Dash”; the intelligence and agility of German Shepherds will be showcased in an obedience and tracking demonstration. Amateur beer-crafters are invited to enter their stout, pale ale, pilsner, and wheat beers in the Home Brew contest; festival goers can sip and compare local suds and vote in the people’s choice ballot. A Sauerkraut contest will follow, with festival goers again choosing the category winners. German music will be provided by the lively Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen from 6-10 pm Friday evening and the Guttenberg German Band and the Americana Band on Saturday. Local Guttenberg band “Side Project” will entertain Saturday evening followed by the Iowa Blues and Rock-n-Roll Hall of Famers of The BillyLee Janey All-Star Band from 7-11pm. Visitors may view German architecture downtown during the self-guided walking tour, see classic German cars on display, and view a replica of the Gutenberg Bible at the Guttenberg Library as well during the event. Festivities will also include a Clayton Ridge High School Pancake Breakfast, the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital 5K, tours of Lock & Dam #10, an open-air vendor market, giant inflatables and obstacle course for kids. Get contest registration forms and a full schedule of events by calling the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce at 563-252-2323, by visiting www.guttenbergiowa.net/germanfest.html, or find Guttenberg GermanFest on Facebook.

Join us for live music, a worship service, hayride tours of the camp, and quilts displayed for review.  A free-will lunch is served at noon and the auction itself starts at 1:00.  It is a day to celebrate and support the incredible ministry that occurs at Camp Ewalu. Visit our Fall Festival & Quilt Auction page for more information.