Join us for a cookout in our Courtyard to meet our new Director, Josh Gomez! 5-6:30pm, October 10 We will be grilling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hotdogs for your enjoyment. All are welcome as we transition to new leadership with lots of plans for the future of this private, non-profit organization – providing opportunities to participate and learn about the arts for over ten years. 214 South Riverpark Dr, Guttenberg, Iowa

The Edgewood Locker is seeking full and part time help for general processing: slaughter, cutting, trimming, sausage, and packaging. Experience helpful, but not required. Full time benefits include: health, dental, vision, life, STD & LTD insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, simple IRA, and employee discounts. Call or stop in to apply. Ask for Luke.

O.W.L.S.  “Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World”   Thursday, October 17th  Reservations Required Osborne Nature Center   Osborne’s Older, Wiser, Livelier, Souls’ next program will be “Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World.” Learn who this important Iowa conservationist was on Thursday, October 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Osborne Nature Center.  Sylvan T. Runkel touched thousands of Iowans through his books, public TV appearances, nature hikes, and love of life. Larry Stone is a long-time friend of Runkel and co-authored with Jon Stravers “Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World”. Stone will help visitors get better acquainted with this beloved naturalist during this fascinating presentation. All are welcome to attend, make your reservation today for this free event by calling (563) 245-1516.  Optional lunch in Elkader will follow the program.  The Osborne Center 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. Please call 563-245-1516 for more information or visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org. 

Recollections: A discussion with United States Air Force Retired Staff Sargent, Cheryl Winters September 27th, 7:00 p.m. Wilder Memorial Museum 123 West Mission St, Strawberry Point, IA 52076 www.WilderMuseum.org 563-933-4615 Free Will Donation 09Sept.2019.program.wintersUSAF

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.

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

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.

After a 17 year hiatus, the Great River Road – Road Race is back! Saturday, October 5, 2019, 8:30am at Pikes Peak State Park 5k-10k and Kids’ Fun Run Register here. No registration necessary for the Kids’ Fun Run. Visit Facebook for more information or email greatriverroadroadrace@gmail.com, or contact the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce at 563.873.2186. This moderately difficult out and back 5 K and 10 K race will begin at Pikes Peak State Park, follow Pikes Peak Road, then head south on the Great River Road. After the race, participants can enjoy our traditional GRRRR Breakfast of pancakes with chicken gravy. If chicken gravy is not to your liking butter and syrup will also be available. Tickets for family and friends will be available to purchase the day of the race. Spend the rest of the day exploring Pikes Peak State Park one of the most photographed places in Iowa and the Ports of Discovery communities of McGregor and Marquette. Proceeds from the race will benefit two local nonprofit agencies, the Friends of Pikes Peak State Park and the McGregor Marquette Chamber of Commerce. GRRRR Great River Road Sponsor