Red Oak Living January 2024

Living

January 2024

Red Oak

The Heart of Southwest Iowa

RED OAK LIVING...

is a biannual publication coordinated by the Red Oak Chamber & Industry Association highlighting insights about our community for those interested in visiting or relocating to the Heart of Southwest Iowa.

712-623-4821 | www.redoakiowa.com

Stanton Old Lumber Yard

Artistic Images

by Heather Marsh

Wedding Venue Old Lumber Yard Event Center • 227 Thorn Street, Stanton IA Contact www.stantonOLY.com • (712)829-7350

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Red Oak Living

• 5,000 Square Feet of Air Conditioned & Heated Space • New & Handicap Accessible Restrooms • Tables & Chairs for up to 400 guests • Food Prep Area & Beverage Station • Bridal Room - adaptable for smaller events • Handicap Accessible

The Montgomery County Courthouse was built in 1890 of red limestone and of Richardson Romanesque design.

Table of Contents Welcome to Red Oak Page 4

Education Page 17

Our History & Heritage Pages 4-5

Child Care Page 17

Activities & Events Pages 6-10

Housing Page 18

Local Eats Page 12

Healthcare Services Page 20

Places to Shop Pages 13-14

Animal Services Page 21

Places of Worship Page 16

Finance & Insurance Page 21

Realtors & Property Management Page 21 Lodging Page 23 Senior Care Page 24 City/County Services Page 26 Business Development Page 27 Major Industry Page 29

Agriculture Page 31 Residential Services Page 32 Transportation Page 32 ROCIA Investors Pages 35-36 Red Oak Map Page 37 Chamber Member businesses in red print

January 2024

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Welcome

On behalf of our Board of Directors, the Red Oak Ambassadors and more than 240 investors, the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association office team is excited to present the 2024 Red Oak Living Magazine. The Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association works very hard to bring our investors continued value for their membership. We are also extremely dedicated to helping our community thrive and making Red Oak a place our citizens are proud to call home. We are pleased to showcase Red Oak and tell its beloved story in this magazine.

We hope you enjoy learning about our community and its smalltown American qualities that are more desirable than ever. You will find Red Oak to be an active, family oriented, safe, peaceful, friendly and welcoming community with big-city offerings.

As the county seat of Montgomery County, Red Oak is proud of its rich history and culture. Red Oak boasts magnificent turn-of-thecentury architecture, 28 parks offering recreational activities, top quality educational opportunities, and a progressive business environment with growing industry. Red Oak has a strong tradition of embracing and fulfilling community projects, celebrating our history, and caring for our neighbors.

Take a stroll or drive underneath the canopy of our mature treelined streets, especially during the fall, as you enjoy the Historic Tour of Red Oak and Heritage Hill. Spend a day visiting the quaint shops in our historic downtown, grab a bite to eat from various eateries, and then catch a live performance at the Wilson Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a day of golfing at the Red Oak Country Club or even disc golfing at one of

our public parks. We invite you and your family to visit Red Oak during one of our community festivals throughout the summer or Holidays.

Experience why Red Oak is the Heart of Southwest Iowa.

To find out more about Red Oak, please visit www.redoakiowa.com or contact the Red Oak Chamber at 712.623.4821.

Thank you for this opportunity to share Red Oak with you.

Sincerely, The Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association Staff

Red Oak Chamber and Industry Office Administrator, Tammi VanMeter (left), and Executive Director, Elaine Carlson (right).

Our History & Heritage

Evergreen Cemetery on Memorial Day

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Red Oak Living

Among the early residents of Montgomery County were Native Americans, dating back to over 10,000 years ago. The earliest white settlers arrived in the early 1850s, settling near a small stream they named Red Oak Creek for the Red Oak trees that grew along its banks.

Montgomery County was formed in 1851 and named for Revolutionary War hero Richard Montgomery. Even though the settlement of Red Oak was officially made the Montgomery County seat in 1865, it grew slowly at first, numbering only about 50 houses in 1868. However, the quiet nature of the community changed in 1869, when the Chicago, Burlington & Pacific Railroad line came through town.

In the same year, the town of Red Oak Junction was officially organized (the

“Junction” was dropped in 1901).

The arrival of the railroad triggered rapid growth and an influx of wealth to Red Oak over the next decade. The town became the trading center for the entire region, and new industries sprang up quickly, including a meat packing plant, a brewery, a cannery, flour mills, and a brick and tile works. At the height of the town’s prosperity, around the turn of the century, several fine community buildings, including the Montgomery County Courthouse, were constructed.

Newly wealthy merchants, as well as railroad officials, built many splendid homes on Red Oak’s east side. These homes stand today as a tangible reminder of Red Oak’s storied past; several of the structures are on the National Historic Register.

HISTORY, Page 5

HISTORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Military Heritage

Red Oak has a proud military history and heritage. Red Oak natives have fought for their country in every engagement since the Civil War. Red Oak’s Company M suffered 160 casualties among its 250 members; 52 men were killed in action.

The town has a particularly strong and moving connection with World War II history: Red Oak lost more of its sons, per capita, in the conflict than any other community in the United States. Residents would gather daily at Red Oak’s Johnson Hotel to await and exchange news about the war. Indeed, one particularly tragic day — March 6, 1943 — more than 100 telegrams arrived bearing news of Red Oak soldiers missing in action. Red Oak gained the recognition and gratitude of the nation, which was expressed in 1944 with the U.S. Navy’s christening of Red Oak Victory, a cargo and ammunition ship, which played an important role in the Pacific theater. Happily, despite her hazardous tour of duty, Red Oak Victory did not suffer a single casualty.

Today, Red Oak Victory is one of the few remaining Victory ships. She is maintained under the care of the Richmond Museum of History in Richmond, California. Remembrance and reverence for the sacrifices of her sons and daughters is an integral part of the Red Oak community. Each Memorial Day, more than 1,500 flags, donated by the families of war veterans, fly in Red Oak’s Evergreen Cemetery, and the town’s Court of Honor sponsors special ceremonies each Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In the town square, memorials have been erected for veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A fountain in the square is a tribute to the men lost during World War I.

because at least one copy of each calendar the company printed has been preserved, Murphy calendars have become coveted and valuable collectors’ items. In late 2019, plans began to develop to renovate the former calendar company into office spaces, boutiques and apartments.

Restored BN Depot and WW II Museum

The Restored BN Depot and WW II Museum works to celebrate Red Oak’s railroad heritage by preserving the Burlington Northern (BN, now BNSF) historic depot, which was foundational to Red Oak’s growth and prominence in Southwest Iowa, maintaining documents and artifacts related to Red Oak’s and Southwest Iowa’s railroad history and offering first-hand interaction with railroad history for visitors. The Depot honors veterans and Montgomery County’s long and deep commitment to serving our county by telling the story of Montgomery County’s unique sacrifice by soldiers, families and residents during the Second World War and preserving documents and artifacts related to this story. They also work to provide an affordable, historic and versatile event venue for the community and Southwest Iowa.

Montgomery County Freedom Rock

The Freedom Rock is on now display at the Fountain Square Park in Red Oak. This is number 95 for artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, who began his quest to paint a Freedom Rock in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, and which he has now completed. Sorensen designs his murals on specific stories relative to each county.

The mural features the Red Oak Victory Ship, the World War II Villisca Red Bull Unit, to pay homage to those soldiers, and ends on a rural theme.

Birthplace of the Art Calendar

In 1888, during the construction of the Montgomery County Courthouse, Red Oak residents Edmond Osborne and Thomas D. Murphy purchased a woodcut of the new structure, little realizing that they were helping to not only immortalize the courthouse, but also to create a new art form.

To cover the costs of purchasing and printing the woodcut, the two entrepreneurs decided to add a calendar pad and sell advertising around the picture to local merchants. The project was so successful that they went on to start a business to create picture calendars, the Thos D. Murphy Co., which operated for more than 100 years. Thus, Red Oak is known as the birthplace of the decorative art calendar industry.

Though no longer in business, Murphy Calendar Company is still a part of Red Oak. The company building is part of the Heritage Hill Tour. Also, because of the company’s history and

Montgomery County Freedom Rock

January 2024

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Things To Do You’re not limited to how you spend your time in the Heart of Southwest Iowa. Fill your mind with rich history at museums or by spending time walking along and admiring the beautiful architecture of our Historic Tour of Heritage Hill.

Red Oak has great parks and recreation facilities scattered throughout the community for those looking to hike, bicycle, disc golf, bowl, swim, skateboard, and more. Entertainment opportunities stretch from a movie with the family in downtown, to live theatre at the arts center, and even local live music in various venues throughout town. Red Oak is a growing destination for those looking to step away from the hustle of city life without sacrificing the available amenities in their area. For more information about the community, please visit redoakiowa. com.

Montgomery County History Center: 2700 N. 4th St., Red Oak 712.623.2289 • mocohistorycenter.org

The Montgomery County History Center is a local history museum, an educational/research facility, and an amazing gift shop. Both permanent and revolving exhibits relating to the Montgomery County area and state history are on display, including but not limited to, The Thomas D. Murphy Company, military history, Masonic Lodge 162 and exhibit, an early 1900’s kitchen, the history of the Wilson Concrete Company, and the history of farming and tractors.

The Montgomery County History Center also maintains the 1853 Stipe Log

Burlington Northern Depot/WWII Museum

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Red Oak Living

House, the 1866 Cozad Cabin, the 1870s Pittsburg country school and the 1884 Nims barn and corn crib.

Burlington Northern Depot / WWII Museum: 305 S. 2nd St., Red Oak 712.623.6340 • depothill.net

Dedicated on December 20, 2003, on the 100th anniversary of the first dedication, the restored Burlington Northern Depot now houses a WWII Memorial Museum, guided and selfguided tours, and is a great venue to host parties. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.

Red Oak Public Library: 400 N. 2nd St., Red Oak 712.623.6516 • redoak.lib.ia.us

The Red Oak Public Library was built in 1909 and is the last of its design to be constructed. This Carnegie library is featured on the National Register of Historic Places and on Red Oak’s Heritage Hill Tour. Inside this treasure you will find books, DVDs, computer stations, audio materials, programming throughout the year, and so much more. The newly remodeled building provides everything from quiet learning areas to large group meeting spaces.

Historic Tour of Red Oak and Heritage Hill:

Red Oak’s Heritage Hill Tour is an ideal way to experience the town’s architectural heritage. Beginning at the courthouse, visitors can walk or drive a

The Red Oak Grand Theatre

route that winds past structures in a variety of styles – including Victorian, Queen Anne, Georgian, Italianate, English Tudor and Prairie – all constructed between 1870 and 1916. Tour brochures are available at the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association office, 307 East Reed Street, or online at redoakiowa.com.

Wilson Performing Arts Center: 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak 712.623.3135 • wilsonartscenter.org

The 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, opened in 2009, provides a 268 seat auditorium, featuring professional touring entertainment, community theatre, numerous arts education classes, and an art gallery in the lobby featuring local visual artists. The facility is completely handicapped accessible and is available to rent for special events.

Red Oak Grand Theatre: 410 E. Coolbaugh St., Red Oak 712.623.3169 • redoakgrandtheatre. com or join us on our Facebook page - RedOakGrandTheatre

The non-profit, volunteer run Red Oak Grand Theatre is here to serve the citizens of the greater Montgomery County area by providing affordable, family-oriented movie entertainment. Showtimes are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Admission to the show is only $2 per person, which provides a fun, familyaffordable entertainment option. The Red Oak Grand Theatre has two beautiful theatre rooms for your enjoyment.

THINGS TO DO, Page 8

Red Oak Grand Theatre Mission: Providing Affordable Entertainment for All Ages.

Show times: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 7 PM | Sunday Matinée 2 PM All tickets $2 Capacity Limits: Theatre #1-110 Theatre #2-107

410 East Coolbaugh St., Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712.623.3169 • www.redoakgrandtheatre.com Red Oak Grand Theatre

ASK US ABOUT OUR MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

712–623–1021

BREAKFAST HOURS: 8-11 A.M. TUES-FRI, 8 A.M.- NOON SAT & SUN REGULAR HOURS: 11 A.M.-11 P.M. TUESDAY-SUNDAY, MONDAY 4-11 1200 SENATE AVE., RED OAK, IA 51566

STADIUM34.COM

RESTAURANT OPEN 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

CLUBHOUSE OPEN DAILY 9 a.m. – SUNDOWN GOLF AVAILABLE TO NON MEMBERS WITH GREEN FEES – 3 TIMES ONLY PER YEAR CART RENTALS, SWIMMING POOL

2038 200th St, Red Oak, IA 712-623-4281 golf@redoakcountryclub.com

Bringing back the past to Montgomery County

WILSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 300 Commerce Drive Red Oak, IA 51566 712-623-3135 www.wilsonartscenter.org Like us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

The Montgomery County Historical Society was organized to help preserve and share our county’s history. The History Center sits on 7 acres of land atop a hill overlooking Red Oak and the history of the county. The center’s museum displays cover everything from the Neolithic (Stone Age) to modern day. In addition, the center has original art work on display along with: • Farm equipment (the 1884 barn even has a cow that can be milked • Genealogy records • Military history and artifacts

• Research archives • Historic buildings on and off site • Space available for events • And much more

Visit our Gift Shop

Free Admission

2700 North 4th Street Red Oak, IA (712) 623-2289 11am - 4pm Tuesday - Sunday Closed on Monday www.freewebs.com/montgomerycountyhistorycenter

January 2024

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THINGS TO DO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

The Five One 8: 518 N. 4th St., Red Oak 712.623.4097 • thefiveone8.com

The Five One 8 is your one-stop shop for art, music, conversation, and craft beer. See us for all your event needs and join us every Friday at six for a great start to your weekend!

Bella Notte Pampered Artist Retreat: 504 E. Reed St., Red Oak 402.547.7334 • bellanotteretreat.com

Located in the former First Baptist Church at 5th & Reed, Bella Notte Pampered Artist Retreat is now open for a handful of scheduled events and private art parties. The former 1,500 square foot sanctuary is now an artist studio set up with such things as paper crafting tools, paint and mixed media supplies. With plenty of space to be creative, when you sign up for an event you can be assured to be full of inspiration. In the future, Bella Notte will have overnight rooms to accommodate around 20 guests to enjoy a weekend retreat scrapbooking or quilting.

Studio 147: 312 E. Coolbaugh St., Red Oak 712-249-5691 • studio147dance.com

Creating confidence through dance, Studio 147 provides students with a high quality and enthusiastic educational environment while striving to teach proper dance techniques and creative choreography. Their goal is to instill a passion for dance in every one of their students.

Red Oak Country Club: 2038 200th St., Red Oak 712.623.4281 • redoakcountryclub.com

A challenging par 72, 18-hole championship golf course that is one of the most challenging and picturesque in Western Iowa. The course is 6,176 yards

Wilson Performing Arts Center

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Red Oak Living

Red Oak Country Club Golf Course

from championship tees, and the design includes water hazards, sand traps, dog legs, waste bunkers, blind shots to the greens, uphill, downhill lies, and many established trees. The club also features a driving range, putting green, a swimming pool, lounge, and a full-service restaurant.

Red Oak Lanes: 1663 200th St., Red Oak 712.623.9877

Red Oak Lanes has been serving Red Oak and the surrounding communities for 40+ years. Red Oak Lanes offers 12 lanes, a game room with pool tables, a pro shop, and a bar and grill. Activities available at Red Oak Lanes include: open bowling seven days a week; adult men, women, couple, and youth leagues; glowin-the-dark bowling with black lighting, music and fog. Red Oak Lanes is proud to be a family entertainment center for all ages.

Montgomery County Family YMCA: 101 E. Cherry St., Red Oak 712.623.2161 • mcymca.com

The Montgomery County Family YMCA offers a welcoming place for all ages and all walks of life where a healthy, more connected lifestyle can be embraced. Comprehensive facilities include spaces for social and family connection, a health and fitness center, full-court gym, walking track, zero-depth swimming pool, indoor tennis center,

Red Oak Trails

racquetball court, Child Watch Center for parents/guardians while working out or participating in programming, and many programs dedicated to supporting and enhancing the community through youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living. The YMCA is now accessible to members 24 hours a day and is fully ADA-accessible with an elevator for second floor access Red Oak Aquatic Center: 108 Legion Park St., Red Oak 712.623.6521

The Red Oak Aquatic Center is located within Legion Park, next door to the Montgomery County Family YMCA. In 2019, the Aquatic Center undertook a $2.5 million dollar renovation to modernize the facility. New features such as a zero depth entry, new slides, beach toys, and a rock climbing wall have been added to the pool. Red Oak is proud to have the largest aquatic center in Southwest Iowa.

Red Oak Trails:

The Red Oak Trails consists of both dedicated recreational trails and bicycle routes throughout town. The dedicated trail can be found on the north side of town along Highway 34. This trail runs alongside the Red Oak High School and up and around and even through Ever-

THINGS TO DO, Page 10

SEE US TODAY, your locally owned “Home Improvement Headquarters”

Hours: Monday–Saturday: 8 am – 9 pm Closed Sundays

Southwest Iowa’s Finest Full-Service Meat Department!

712-623-5648

Farm-Fresh Produce Full Carry-Out Service To Your Car! Grocery 712-623-2651

Online Shopping Available

811 Broadway, Red Oak u www.fareway.com

BATTEN SANITATION SERVICE, INC. Residential & Commercial Services

Roll Off Containers Available

418 E. Reed St., Red Oak, IA 51566 Call Us For Pricing

712.623.3460

Red Oak Do It Center Hours: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Sunday Noon-4 p.m.

502 Broadway, Red Oak, IA

712-623-5121

Residential & Commercial Pick-Up

712-778-2365 800-841-2445

TOWN & COUNTRY SANITATION Kevin & Amy Carlisle 210 8th Street | Griswold, IA 51535

Red Oak Country Club

January 2024

9

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

green Cemetery. There are currently two trail heads: one of them located in Legion Park, with the other newly established trail head at the corner of Highway 34 and Eastern Avenue. Friends of the Red Oak Trails is a non-profit organization that is actively promoting trail usage and advocating for trail expansion around the community. For more information, please visit fotrot.org.

Red Oak Public Parks:

Red Oak has public parks and green spaces scattered all throughout the community. To list just a few, there is everything ranging from the Red Oak Sports Complex, which is surrounded by a 9-hole disc golf course; inside contains four baseball fields (two of which are lighted and have digital scoreboards) and public restrooms. On the other side of town you have the Red Oak Dog Park, which offers a separate fenced in area for large dogs and small dogs, both offering dog drinking fountains and doggie stations; Indian Gully, 20+ acres of beautiful hiking grounds; and Kelly Park, a split 9-acre park with a soccer field, 9-hole disc golf course, a playground, and a shelter space. Back towards the center of town you have Chautauqua Park, which includes one of the largest openair Chautauquas still left standing in the county, Steve Roberts Memorial Baseball Field, playground equipment, and the iconic Red Oak water tower. For more information about all the parks, please visit redoakiowa.com.

Historic Fountain Square Park:

Located in the heart of Red Oak’s historic downtown business district, historic Fountain Square Park is the home of various memorials for Montgomery County veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam

Montgomery County Family YMCA

10 Red Oak Living

War. The fountain itself is a tribute to the men lost during World War I, built by the families who suffered losses. The newest memorial added to the collection is Montgomery County’s Freedom Rock.

Historic Fountain Square Park is also the site of several festivals and special events, which utilize the Richard Simpson Memorial Stage, such as Junction Days (last full weekend of June), National Night Out (first Tuesday of August), Classy Chassis Car Show (third Saturday of August), and more.

The Red Oak Farmers Market: manager@redoakfarmersmarket.com redoakfarmersmarket.com

Hosted in beautiful historic Fountain Square Park from mid-May to midOctober on Thursday (4 – 6 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m. – noon). The ROFM is an Iowa certified farmers market that provides a marketplace for area produce growers, bakers, and crafters. The farmers market has also become a platform that synergizes with other activities in the park like music, art, and yoga. Other markets occur during June, July, and August along with a Thanksgiving and Christmas market at the White Fair Building.

Montgomery County Shooting Sports Club: 1874 J Ave., Red Oak

Located just west of Anderson Conservation Area, the Montgomery County Shooting Sports Club is an outdoor facility with a 14x30 covered 100 yard rifle range with four bench rest positions, one prone position, and one standing position; a 14x30 covered handgun range with six stations including dividers and tables; a four position standing target archery range; and, coming soon, two trap fields with voice activated throwers. Open on Saturdays

The Five One 8

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Open to the public; memberships are available.

Anderson Conservation Area, Wolfe Nature Center, and Andersen Wildlife Area: 2059 190th St., Red Oak 712.623.4753

A 229-acre area of rolling hills, trails, prairie and marshland, the Anderson Conservation Area has been set aside for the preservation and reintroduction of native Iowa wildlife and vegetation. No hunting is allowed, but a pond with a dock is available for public fishing and kayaking.

Wolfe Nature Center, located within Anderson Conservation, offers seasonal displays and classroom/meeting areas, as well as educational programs that can be conducted both on-site and in schools.

Guided hikes are available for both school students and adults. Andersen Wildlife Area, located just across the road from Anderson Conservation, is a public hunting area of 196 acres with approximately 1 mile of walking trails.

Viking Lake State Park: 2780 Viking Lake Rd., Stanton 712-829-2235

Viking Lake is a state park spanning over 1,000 acres and consisting of a 137 acre lake prefect for boating and fishing parties; six miles of hiking trails with informational kiosks about the important shrubs, plants, and trees within the local ecosystem; campground sites for all levels of camping including modern rest rooms and showers; and much more. Viking Lake is a short 15-minute drive east of Red Oak. Montgomery County also has several county parks available with different amenities in each.

Montgomery County History Center

Wilson Camps

Red Oak City Hall

Historic home in beautiful Red Oak

Depot at night

January 2024 11

Local Eats Bucksnort 322 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.357.1701

McDonald’s 1501 N. Broadway 712.623.2098

Burger King 1410 N. Broadway 712.623.5042

Pizza Hut 1000 Senate Ave. 712.623.4966

Casa De Oro 900 Senate Ave. 712.623.6383

The Pizza Ranch 1511 N. Broadway 712.623.2332

Casey’s General Store 1310 N. Broadway 712.623.6010 (carry-out only)

Red Oak Country Club 2038 200th St. 712.623.4281

Casey’s General Store 201 N. Broadway 712.623.9804 (carry-out only)

Red Oak Eagles 200 Washington Ave. 712.623.3125

Chen’s Kitchen 301 E. Reed St. 712.623.4536

Red Oak Elks Lodge 519 N. 1st St. 712.623.9380

China Gate Express 1011 N. Broadway 712.623.3899

Scooters 1509 N. Broadway

Cubby’s (Chester’s Chicken/Godfather’s Pizza) 2405 N. Broadway 712.623.4444 DAC Creamery 805 N Broadway 712.249.2257 Hy-Vee Market Grill 1605 N. Broadway 712.623.4992 KFC/Taco Bell 400 Senate Ave. 712.623.5554 La Cascada 404 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.3250

Stadium 34 1200 Senate Ave. 712.623.4864 Subway 1300 N. Broadway 712.623.3311 The Neighborhood Bakehouse 308 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.217.1723

Stadium 34

Val’s Sugar Shack

712-623-6383 An Authentic Mexican Family Restaurant Authentic Mexican Recipes • Kids’ Menu Vegetarian Selections • Famous Margaritas

BEST FOOD THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER.

900 Senate Ave. Red Oak, IA

Val’s Sugar Shack 601 N. 3rd St. 712.623.0050 Williams Recreation 310 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.5593

1300 N Broadway • Red Oak, IA • (712) 623-3311

12 Red Oak Living

Shopping

Pudgy Pumpkin Patch Gift Shop

J Mercantile, Downtown Red Oak

White Sparrow

Goldsmith Gallery on Broadway

January 2024 13

Places to Shop AgriVision Equipment Group 2405 N. 4th St. 712.623.4858 Allstar Shirts and More 412 E. Reed St. 712.623.0016 Bee Quilty 201 E. Reed St. Ste. #2 712.789.9775 Belt’s Auto Center 300 E. Washington Ave. 712.623.2538 Carpet Store & So Much More - Designs by Denise 620 N. 4th St. 877.533.5667 CarQuest – Johnson Auto Parts 303 N. Broadway 712.623.4964 Cellular Advantage 1515 N. Broadway Ste. A 712.621.4040 Chat Mobility 909 Senate Ave. 712.623.4066 Corn Dawgs Boarding 1911 E Summit St. 712.357.1084 CR Graphics 101 N. Broadway 712.623.3600 Dickel Duit Outdoor Power 2227 State Highway 48 712.623.9343 Dollar General 2010 Commerce Dr. 712.623.4316 Dovel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning 1600 N. Broadway 712.623.9614

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Family Dollar / Dollar Tree 1205 N. Broadway Fareway Meat & Grocery 811 N. Broadway 712.623.2651 Fastenal 1513 1/2 N. Broadway 712.623.5084 Goldsmith Gallery 802 N. Broadway 712.623.4407 Hawkeye Ford 2027 U.S. Highway 34 East 712.623.5147 Heart & Soul Bridal 1010 N Broadway 712.357.1081 Hometown Florist 510 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.621.8388 Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc. 1605 N. Broadway 712.623.4992 J Mercantile 503 N. 3rd St. 712.310.6519 Lemon Tree Gift Shop at MCMH 2301 Eastern Ave. 712.623.7159 LJ Aesthectics, LLC 1503 N Broadway St. 712.623.5492 Mark Jackson’s Ashley Furniture Store 318 E. Coolbaugh 712.623.2290 Mark Jackson’s Red Oak Hardware Hank & Hallmark Gold Crown Store 315 E. Reed St. 712.623.2290 Montgomery County History Center Gift Shop 2700 N. 4th St. 712.623.2289

NEW Cooperative, Inc. 203 W. Oak St. 712.623.2575 NAPA Auto Parts 200 E. Reed St. 712.623.2545 O’Reilly’s Auto Parts 1610 N. Broadway 712.623.4590 Pudgy Pumpkin Patch Gift Shop 512 N. 4th St. 712.623.8111 Red Oak Chrysler, Inc 1907 N. Broadway 712.623.9310 Red Oak Do It Center 502 N. Broadway 712.623.5428 Red Oak Fabrication 306 N. 3rd St. 712.623.4911 The Five One 8 518 N. 4th St. 712.623.4097 The Treasure Trove 518 N. 4th St. 712.623.4097 Tractor Supply Company 1404 N 3rd St. 903.926.9157 Westlake Ace Hardware 1601 N. Broadway 712.623.3662 White Sparrow 510 N. 4th St. 712.357.1418 Valley Antiques Estate Sales 1901 N. Broadway 480.202.9771

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1503 N Broadway | Red Oak, IA | 51566 712-621-5492 lizcooper44@hotmail.com

@LJ Asthetics by appointment only

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Red Oak Fabrication

Full Service State-of-the-Art Machine Shop and Metal Fabrication

p Southwest Iowa’s

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Kids Mens Medical Scrubs Carhartt Boots DryShod Boots REDOAKFABRICATION.COM January 2024 15

Places of Worship Assembly of God Church 1005 Senate Ave. Worship 10:30 a.m.

712.623.2174

First Congregational United Church of Christ 608 Reed St. Worship Noon & 11:30 (summer) 712.623.2794

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1101 Summit St. First Covenant Church 211 Hammond St. Worship 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.

712.623.3394 Worship 9:30 a.m.

712.623.2195 Crossroads Church (Southern Baptist) First United Methodist 303 E. Oak St. Church 600 Hammond St. 9:20 a.m. & 6 p.m.

712.357.1060 Worship 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

712.623.2101 Faith Community Church 2701 N. 8th St. Grace Baptist Church Worship 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

1510 Sixth St. 712.623.3472 Worship 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

712.623.9615 First Christian Church 1909 E. Summit St. Hope for Life Church 300 East Oak St. Worship 10:30 a.m.

712.623.2897 Worship 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.

712.623.6072

River of Life Church 1880 State Hwy 48 Worship 10:30 a.m.

712.623.5363 Red Oak Presbyterian Church 511 E Coolbaugh St. Worship 10:30 a.m.

712.623.4751

St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1510 Highland Ave. Worship 10:30 a.m.

Spanish mass at 1 p.m.

Saturday worship odd weeks at 5 p.m.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 608 East Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 712-623-2794

Facebook: First Congregational UCC, Red Oak Sunday Worship: 12:00 noon (11:30 in summer) An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Compassionate Service in Your Time of Need Funerals | Burials | Cremation | Preplanning

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel

H

onoring the one who has died,

by serving those who live.

Sellergren – Lindell – DeMarce Funeral Home 712.623.2796 509 N. 6th Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 www.sldfuneralhome.com 16 Red Oak Living

410 Sixth Street, Red Oak, Iowa 712-623-2525 • 800-653-4881 www.nblfuneralchapel.com

Education The Red Oak Community School District seeks Excellence for All...Whatever It Takes! The district takes tremendous pride in its students, staff, facilities, and educational programming, and maintains a consistent focus on students. The district emphasizes collaboration and inclusiveness as a means of promoting understanding, respect, teamwork, and diversity. It encourages students and staff to work hard, take risks, and engage in continuous growth.

The Red Oak Schools serve nearly 1,000 students from Red Oak, Coburg, Stennett, Wales, and neighboring communities.

Students have access to a wide variety of course offerings and over 30 extra and co-curricular activities. The district strives to meet the unique needs of students by providing different

graduation pathways, workbased learning opportunities, online learning options, an alternative school program, and a full continuum of special education services.

Sixty percent of high school students take college level, post-secondary, or advanced coursework as part of their course of study. Nearly 80 percent concentrate on career and technical education.

Students are served in three separate facilities: the Red Oak Early Childhood Center (PK), Inman Elementary School (K-6), and Red Oak Jr-Sr High School (7-12). These facilities are among the finest in the region thanks to an amazing level of community support.

In the past 20 years, the Red Oak Community School District buildings have seen more than 39 million dollars

Southwestern Community College Southwestern Community College’s Red Oak Center offers college credit courses, adult and continuing education, HSED (formerly GED) classes, and customized training for local businesses and industries.

In addition to on-site classes, distance learning opportunities are available using the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), and online classes through the Iowa Community College Online Consortium. The Red Oak Center has nine classrooms, including two ICN rooms and a 15 station computer lab.

The Center also offers STOA Coworking, which provides a collaborative workspace for remote workers, freelancers, startups, traveling sales reps, and much more. Engage in focused work with all the office services in a collaborative workspace. Come be a Spartan coworker!

Red Oak Early Child Development Center

Red Oak Junior /Senior High School

in improvements funded with sales tax and Physical Plant and Equipment Levee dollars and an overwhelming number of district residents voting in favor of general obligation bonds for funding.

The district employs 81 highly qualified teachers, 26 paraprofessionals, and 29 support personnel. The staff consists of teachers who have experience ranging from one year to more than 30 years in the Red Oak Community

School District. Teachers hone their craft through more than 70 hours of collaboration time and professional development throughout the year. Teachers also benefit from a robust mentoring and induction program and a well-defined teacher leadership program.

All of these services and supports are geared to provide students rigorous and relevant learning opportunities and put them in the best position to succeed.

Child Care Red Oak Child Development Center: 400 W. 2nd St. Red Oak

The Red Oak Child Development Center (ROCDC) located in Red Oak, is a child development center facility committed to providing quality childcare for children 6 weeks to 12 years old.

ROCDC offers full-and part-time care for infants and toddlers, 3-year-old preschool, before/after school services as well as summer programs for school-aged children.

ROCDC has a strong emphasis on education through playbased learning and evidence-based curriculum that includes developmentally appropriate social/behavioral/emotional/ cognitive skills support, proper nutrition, and rest.

The child development center offers extended hours with the goal of accommodating local employees, commuters, and families faced with daily childcare needs. ROCDC accepts state childcare assistance and staffs our center according to state requirements for room ratios based on its enrollment. These services are provided in a safe and nurturing environment.

ROCDC is the accepted partner of the Red Oak Community School District and leases part of the Red Oak Early Childhood Center (formerly Washington School) in Red Oak.

January 2024 17

Housing

As one of the top three issues for the city and the development agencies in Red Oak, housing is headed for a massive expansion in 2024! The current plans in place greatly affect how Red Oak housing will look for a generation to come. Work is ongoing to complete a 24-unit apartment renovation inside the old Red Oak One of the turn-of-the-century homes in Red Oak Middle School, which is just one block away from our beautiful downtown Fountain Square Park with plenty of retail around the town square. Our dual screen movie theater is also within easy walking distance. These new units will be known as the “1917 Lofts.” Second story housing opportunities continue to expand around the town square and should be available in 2024 or early 2025.

The Woodland Hills subdivision has a variety of lots available

Baker House

and vacant houses for in-fill home site development with infrastructure immediately available, which is a plus. The Red Oak Community School district is also developing a “building trades” program in conjunction with SWCC which will result in additional speculative housing as well as new apprenticeship opportunities for the students.

Finally, Red Oak has often been called “The Williamsburg of the Midwest” due to the sheer number of turn-of the-century homes featuring multiple architectural styles. The Historic Preservation Commission has recently applied to the State Historic Preservation Office to do an extensive survey of the self-labeled “Heritage Hill” tour to determine eligibility for the National Historic Register. Come take a look at Red Oak, we think you will like what you see!

Woodland Hills subdivision

for new home construction and our Acorn Development group has built one speculative house with two more planned.

Woodland Hills will also be welcoming new neighbors to the west as Studio One will be building 30 townhomes on adjacent land.

The City of Red Oak has also been busy clearing dilapidated

One of the historic homes in Red Oak

Townhouses Concept

18 Red Oak Living

Housing Project

WE ARE

Dr. Kimberly Truka, and staff provide state-of-the-art general dentistry for all ages. We offer a friendly and relaxing atmosphere while treating our patients in a professional manner.

Dental Care P.C.

FAMILY DENTISTRY 1501 West Townline St. | Creston, IA 50801 | 641.782.7081 Creston • Osceola • Red Oak • Online

www.swcciowa.edu Dental care that empowers your smile.

OUR MISSION

SERVICE WITH JOY

We believe in making a difference in our patients’ lives by providing honest, quality dental care from the heart while using the best clinical practices of the time. At Uplift Family Dentistry, we thrive on caring for you and your family and spreading the joy of service.

We want to make your dental experience a positive one.

We offer high quality care for a variety of dental needs, giving regular people remarkable smiles.

CONTACT

OFFICE HOURS

1700 E Summit Street Red Oak, Iowa 51566

Monday

8:30a–5:00p

Tuesday

8:30a–5:00p

hello@upliftredoak.com

Wednesday

8:30a–1:00p

712.623.5404

Thursday

8:30a–5:00p

Find us on Facebook

Friday–Sunday

By appointment only

upliftredoak.com January 2024 19

Healthcare Services

Countryside Medical Clinic 1959 200th St. 712.629.0040

Hearing Healthcare Center 411 E. Reed St. 712.623.2565

Midwest Mental Health 1977 G Ave. 712.623.6349

LJ Aesthetics, LLC 1503 N. Broadway St. 712.623.5492

CHIROPRACTORS

Nishna Productions, Inc. 207 S. 3rd St. 712.623.4362

Montgomery County Memorial Hospital 2301 Eastern Ave. 712.623.7000 Montgomery County Public Health 1109 Highland Ave. 712.623.4893 Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa 101 E. Reed St. 712.621.2117 Red Oak Family Medicine 1400 Senate Ave. Suite 108 712.623.7250 Red Oak Internal Medicine 1400 Senate Ave. Suite 108 712.623.7280

Back and Body Chiropractic 704 N. 4th St. 712.314.0937 Body Basics Chiropractic 704 N. 4th St. 712.254.2639 Confer Chiropractic 404 N. 5th St. 712.623.3526

Red Oak Chiropractic 1505 N. Broadway 712.623.3363

Apria Healthcare 111 E. Washington Ave. 712.623.5466

DENTAL

Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc. 1605 N. Broadway 712.623.4992

AUDIOLOGIST

Uplift Family Dentistry 1700 E. Summit St. 712.623.5404

20 Red Oak Living

PHARMACY AND MEDICAL SUPPLY AeroCare 1515 Broadway St. Suite B 641.322.5453

Dental Care, PC 415 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.3383

Montgomery County Memorial Hospital

Waubonsie Mental Health Center 1000 N. Broadway 712.542.2388

Performance Massage 704 N. 4th St. 712.370.3038

Women’s Health Clinic 1400 Senate Ave. Suite 102 712.243.2850

Beltone Audiology & Hearing 1010 Broadway Suite A 712.623.4802

Zion Recovery Services 403 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.4801

Southwest Orthodontic Associates 415 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.5857

MCMH Pharmacy 600 Senate Ave. 712.623.1900 or 712.623.7245 PODIATRY OrthoNebraska Red Oak 502 E. Reed St. 712.623.5178

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

VISION

Family Connections, Inc. 304 S. Locust St., Glenwood 712.527.2823

Family Vision Center 514 N. 4th St. 712.623.9433

Healthy Homes Family Services, Inc. 306 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.307.6014

Michael J. Portz & Janet Wade 1409 N. 2nd St. 712.623.5551

Animal Services

Corn Dawgs Boarding 1911 E. Summit St. 712.357.1084

Oak Valley Animal Health 1703 200th St. 712.623.5511

Finance & Insurance

Bank Iowa 1805 N. Broadway 712.623.6960

Carrick & Associates, LLP 2016 Commerce Dr. 712.623.5471 Davis-Taylor Insurance 204 East Reed St. 712.623.4813

Farm Credit Services of America 700 Senate Ave. 712.623.5181 First Interstate Bank 2100 Commerce Dr. 712.623.9809

FNIC- Trusted Insurance Advisors 1609 N Broadway St 712.623.8900

Edward Jones – Tim Jackson 500 North 4th St. H&R Block 712.623.5447 509 N. 3rd St. 712.623.9379 Farm Bureau Financial Services – Hays Accounting Richard Fisher Agency 301 N. 3rd St. 502 E. Coolbaugh St., Ste. A 712.621.8931 712.623.9678 Farm Bureau Financial Services & Montgomery County Farm Bureau 950 Senate Ave., Ste. A 712.623.5546

Legacy Mutual Ins. Assn.

614 Halland Ave. Stanton, IA 712.829.5638

United Group Insurance 306 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.5555

Milestone Financial Group, Inc. 505 N. 3rd St. 712.623.5726

US Bank 323 E. Reed St. 712.623.4828 Vial Insurance 300 E Coolbaugh St. 712.357.5570

Senior Advisors, Inc. 1805 218th 712.621.0133 State Farm Insurance 297 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.5639

Houghton State Bank 116 E. Coolbaugh St. 712.623.4823 Houghton State Bank

Realtors & Rental Property Management Billings Apartments PO Box 76 712.623.4133

Your Real Estate Choice 1110 N. Broadway 712.623.9000

Rubey Realty & Rentals 1000 N. Broadway Suite 1 712.623.2724

Woodland Park Apts.

– Zoul Properties 1803 E. Summit St. #2 515.206.6547

Riverbend Heritage Lodge Bed & Breakfast 1938 G Ave., Red Oak 888.557.0607 1917 Lofts Red Oak Apartments 308 E. Corning 888-298-0888

January 2024 21

Red Coach Inn & Suites

Purchase your Dream Home Being a part of the community, our work means helping neighbors achieve their dreams. understand that every borrower is Red Oak -We Cumberland - Emerson - Griswold different, and we offer a variety of products to meet your unique needs. We are committed to helping you find the right real estate product and will help guide you throughout the mortgage process.

houghtonstatebank.com (712)623.4823 MemberFDIC

Red Oak - Cumberland - Emerson - Griswold houghtonstatebank.com (712) 623.4823

*APR may vary based on credit, term, from HSB account. Subject to credit approval.

22 Red Oak Living

1200 Senate Ave. Red Oak, IA 51566 712-623-4864 www.redcoachredoak.com

Lodging Red Coach Inn & Suites: 1200 Senate Ave. & Hwy 34, Red Oak 1.800.544.6002 • redcoachredoak.com

Rodeway Inn: 800 Senate Ave., Red Oak 712.623.6919

The Red Coach Inn is a beautiful 53 room hotel adjacent to one of Red Oak’s finest dining facilities, Stadium 34. Whether you are visiting Red Oak Iowa for business or pleasure, you will always get a first-class stay at the Red Coach Inn & Suites. Visit them and you will get the big city taste with the hometown feel.

A budget friendly motel offering air conditioning in the rooms. It is easy to stay connected during your stay, as free Wi-Fi is offered to guests. The motel features a 24-hour front desk.

Plus, guests can enjoy a pool and free breakfast, which have made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Red Oak.

Riverbend Heritage Lodge Bed & Breakfast: 1938 G Ave., Red Oak 888.557.0607 riverbendheritagelodge.com

Riverbend Heritage Lodge opened in June 2022. Service, design, and simplicity are at our core; when you book a room with us, you’re guaranteed to have an extraordinary experience.

From the moment you walk in the door, you’ll feel the special Riverbend Heritage Lodge hospitality, from our super soft linens, our clean & sanitized rooms to our 21 acres of land for you to explore. Special occasions? We would be happy to help you celebrate or surprise that special someone! Feel free to discuss with our staff. We will do our best to meet your requests.

Red Coach Inn & Suites

Riverbend Heritage Lodge Comfort Meets Elegance 888-557-0607

Voted BEST Hotel/Bed & Breakfast in Southwest Iowa

Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, you’ve come to the right place. Riverbend Heritage Lodge offers maximum convenience at competitive fares. Make sure to book your reservation today - see you soon!

1938 G Ave. Red Oak, Iowa 51566 Bed & Breakfast

2 Guesthouses

Whole Lodge Rentals

riverbendheritagelodge@gmail.com www.riverbendheritagelodge.com January 2024 23

Senior Care Acorn Acres 1805 N. 8th St. 712.623.4558

Red Oak Senior Center 2700 N. 4th St. 712.623.3497

Arlington Place of Red Oak 800 E. Ratliff Road 712.623.1999

Regency Retirement Residence 1300 Senate Ave. 712.623.5259

Good Samaritan Society 201 Alix Ave. 712.623.3170

Arlington Place

Red Oak Rehab and Care Center 1600 Summit St. 712.623.5156

Regency Retirement Residence

One-bedroom apartments, utilities paid, and mail delivered to your door.

Community rooms for tenant’s family gatherings.

Acorn Acres

ACORN acres 1805 N 8th St. • Red Oak, IA 51566

SS

712.623.4558 AAREDOAK@MSN.COM

24 Red Oak Living

209 E. Coolbaugh St., Red Oak, Iowa (712) 623-2554

YMCA Front Enterance

YMCA Turkey Trot

YMCA Swim Team

Kelly Park YMCA Soccer

Red Oak Aquatic Center

January 2024 25

City/County Services CITY OF RED OAK Mayor, Shawnna Silvius City Administrator, Kyra Smith City Hall 601 N. 6th St. 712.623.6510 Red Oak Airport 712.623.6523 Evergreen Cemetery/Park Supt.

712.623.6512

Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center

Red Oak Fire Department 712.623.6504 Red Oak Police Department 712.623.6500 Red Oak Public Library 712.623.6516

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County Courthouse 105 E. Coolbaugh St. Board of Supervisors 712.623.5127 Assessor 712.623.4171 Auditor 712.623.5127 Conservation 712.623.4753

Red Oak Public Library

General Assistance 712.623.3848 Public Health 712.623.4893 Recorder 712.623.4363 Sheriff 712.623.5107 Treasurer 712.623.3292 Veteran Affairs 712.623.3180 Driver’s License 712.623.3292 Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation 712.357.1122

26 Red Oak Living

United States Post Office

Business Development While Red Oak is primarily known as an agricultural economy, farming is not the sole industry. Manufacturing, retail, health and education all hold top places in industrial rankings for the region, which boasts active economic development organizations that work every day to bring new residents, industry and businesses to Southwest Iowa. This is an area poised for growth as indicated by the last business retention & expansion survey (BR&E-2023) which shows that four of our major industrial facilities are planning for employment growth in 2024/25.

Economic Incentives: The State of Iowa through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has multiple economic incentives available for businesses beginning, expanding or relocating to the state to include a quality jobs program, job training funds administered through the community college and workforce housing tax credits. Iowa is also a right to work state. At the local level, the City of Red Oak can use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and tax abatement to help offset the costs of new construction.

Another major benefit to businesses starting up, expanding, or relocating to Red Oak and Montgomery County is the team of economic development players that works daily to further business interests in the region such as the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association, the City of Red Oak, and the Montgomery County Development Corporation (MCDC).

Undeveloped industrial land is available just outside the city limits of Red Oak, as are some commercial and industrial buildings.

Like many small communities, Red Oak is re-investing in its downtown, which has started a new renaissance. The City of Red Oak has a very active Downtown Urban Revitalization (DUR)

program focused on the downtown district, which includes various incentives for businesses choosing to locate in the heart of our community. Local investors have purchased and refurbished several of these downtown buildings and are ready to welcome new retail and service businesses.

Home Base Iowa: Red Oak was designated as one of the State of Iowa’s first Home Base Communities. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-a-kind program connecting veterans and transitioning service members to over 2,000 businesses, 24 college and university partners, and 87 Home Base Iowa communities statewide.

Fiber Optics/Broadband Connectivity: Rural and municipally served telephone cooperatives in Montgomery County are well on their way to having total high-speed fiber connectivity. The USDA awarded Farmers Mutual Telephone Co. a ReConnect I&II Grant/Loan(s) to install fiber optics directly to each and every rural home and business. In 2024 United Fiber, out of Maryville, MO., will begin and complete construction of highspeed fiber to every residential household and business inside the city limits of Red Oak. Red Oak Community Schools, Southwestern Community College (SWCC), MCDC, Iowa Workforce Development, IowaWORKS, Iowa’s Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), the Office of Apprenticeship, and others are all working collaboratively to create career pathways for students and incumbent workers that facilitate, guide, and provide upscaling, re-training, and preparation for our future workforce. Key sectors are being focused on to prepare students to support current industry and businesses such as agriculture, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, finance, technology, building trades, culinary, and more.

Ribbon Cutting at United Group Insurance

January 2024 27

Leadership Red Oak Class Graduation

Red Oak Childhood Development Center Neighborhood Bakehouse Ribbon Cutting

Red Oak Airport at night

28 Red Oak Living

Major Industry

Agri-Solutions Manufactures quality liquid starter and foliar fertilizers.

Montgomery County Memorial Hospital State-of-the-art medical campus.

AgriVision Equipment Group Services, repairs and sells John Deere parts and equipment.

Na-Churs / Alpine Solutions (Wilbur-Ellis) A specialty liquid chemical manufacturer serving the precision agriculture, transportation, energy, and diversified industrial sectors in North America.

American Hydraulics Repairs and refurbishes railcar parts.

AT&T Call center for AT&T service and sales.

BNSF Railway (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Cargo services location in Red Oak. Bunge Purchases corn to produce corn masa flour for the tortilla and snack food industry.

Clarios Manufactures the positive “Power Frame” lead grid used in lead-acid automotive batteries.

Fres-co System Manufactures printed laminated barrier flexible packaging material.

H&H Trailers Manufactures trailers with unmatched strength, durability, and exceptional value.

Mid-American Energy The local gas and electric utility provider.

New Cooperative Offers retail agricultural products, hardware, lumber, precision ag services, fuels, lubricants, and merchandise.

Parker Hannifin Corporation Manufactures low, medium and high pressure hoses and belts.

Red Oak Community School District Provides excellent educational experiences for the area youth.

Red Oak Fabrication Offers custom metal fabrication and powder coating services, as well as welding repair, custom drafting services, and CNC high-definition plasma cutting services. Red Oak Fabrication is also the largest retailer in Southwest Iowa of Carhartt clothing.

Red Oak Greenhouses Inc A wholesale grower of potted plants, specifically poinsettias, garden mums, weekly bloomers, spring bedding, Valentine and Easter Bulbs, and Easter Lilies.

Downtown Fountain Square Park

January 2024 29

& TRAILER SALES

300 E Washington Ave., Red Oak, IA

712-623-2538 • 800-279-2539 beltac.com FOR ALL YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS… SEE Butch, Kevin or Dane!

butch@beltac.com 712.789.9885 kevin@beltac.com 712.370.2768

• Pipe Cutting/Threading • Assembly • Key Duplication • Custom Paint Matching/Mixing • Propane Exchange • Laminating • Automotive Security Key Duplication Store Hours: M-Sat: 7:30am - 8:00pm • Sun- 9:00am - 6:00pm

WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE

1601 Broadway Street, Red Oak, IA 51166 www.westlakehardware.com

Keeping You Connected Every Which Way HOME DELIVERY Includes digital access!

Get local news, local savings and more – anytime, anywhere!

Call or go online to get started.

712.623.2566 redoakexpress.com

The Red Oak Express Your Local News Connection

In Print, Online & Mobile 712-623-2566 redoakexpress.com

Clarios is a world leader in advanced energy storage solutions. We partner with our customers to meet increasing market demand for smarter applications, on a global scale. Our 16,000 employees develop, manufacture and distribute a portfolio of evolving battery technologies for virtually every type of vehicle.

Technologies that deliver uniquely sustainable, next generation performance, and bring reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We add value at every link in the supply chain, contributing to the progress of the communities we serve and the plantet we all share.

For more information, please visit clarios.com or follow @clariosglobal on Twitter.

2015 Fernwood Ave, Red Oak, IA 51566 712-357-3650

Hose Products Division

RED OAK, IOWA • 712-623-4901 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

January 2024 30

Agriculture Agriculture is a very important industry in Red Oak and Montgomery County, with 23 percent of its residents employed by an ag or ag-related industry. Agriculture earns billions of dollars annually for Iowa farmers, with 516 farms located throughout Montgomery County. Corn and soybeans dominate farming in this area, with both crops utilizing more than 180,000 acres. Montgomery County farmers also raise cattle, sheep, hogs, goats and chickens. Along the countryside, you will also find small farmers who grow fruits and vegetables for farmers markets in the region.

IOWA STATE EXTENSION Iowa State University Extension and Outreach connects the needs of Iowans with Iowa State research and resources.

They listen, learn, and work with the people of Montgomery County for a #STRONGIOWA from needs assessment through program implementation and evaluation of outcomes.

In particular, they provide farmers with crop statistics, pest control, climate data, finances, and more.

4-H Montgomery County Fair participants Youth programming is an important part of 4-H work in Montgomery County. It strives to provide a variety of Commercial Building with a concession stand, Horse Arena, educational experiences throughout the year in order to Sanctioned Horseshoe Court, the Grandstand Arena, Sheep & build successful future citizens. 4-H continues to be strong Goat Barn, and the Cattle Barn. in Montgomery County, involving over 150 youth in grades The buildings are available to rent for various family and K-12 in year-round community clubs as well as the Clover Kids community events. The Grandstand Arena offers entertainment program. during and beyond the county fair by hosting the Figure 8 Race Youth are given opportunities to reach their full potential by Circuit, bull riding, and demo derbies, to name just a few events. working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

Also available at the fairgrounds are 18 camping spots with access to electric hookup for a nominal fee.

FFA The Red Oak FFA Chapter is dedicated to developing 7-12 grade students’ potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through Agricultural Education. Members participate in a variety of leadership events, community service activities, and agricultural events throughout the year.

The chapter has been given the 3-Star National Chapter Award rating, the highest possible rating, from the National FFA Organization. Members traveled through-out Iowa and to Indianapolis to participate in leadership and personal development events. The chapter is supported by the Red Oak FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter who assist in raising funds and volunteering to assist FFA members.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY AG SOCIETY / FAIRGROUNDS The Montgomery County Fair is something everyone looks forward to the third week in July. The fairgrounds consist of the Gold Auditorium, White 4-H Exhibit Building, Livestock Pavilion, Ag appreciation dinner

31 Red Oak Living

Residential Services

GAS & ELECTRIC MidAmerican Energy Company 311 Alix Ave. 888.427.5632 midamericanenergy.com WATER SERVICE City of Red Oak 601 6th St. 712.623.6510 redoakiowa.com GARBAGE COLLECTION Batten Sanitation Service, Inc. 418 E. Reed St. 712.623.3460 battensanitation.com Town & County Sanitation PO Box 635, Griswold 800.841.2445 CABLE / DISH FMTC 410 Broad Ave, Stanton 712.829.2111 Johnston Communications 309 E 4th St., Villisca 712.826.4022 johnstonsatellite.com Mediacom Communications 310 Commerce Dr. 800.322.0245 mediacomcable.com

TELEPHONE SERVICES CenturyLink 866.642.0444 centurylink.com

Johnston Communications 309 E. 4th St., Villisca, IA 50864 12.826.4022 johnstonsatellite.com

FMTC 410 Broad Ave., Stanton 712.829.2111

Mediacom Communications 310 Commerce Drive 800.322.0245 mediacomcable.com

Mediacom Communications 310 Commerce Dr. 800.322.0245 mediacomcable.com

United Fiber 800.585.6454 unitedfiber.com

United Fiber 800.585.6454 unitedfiber.com CELL PHONE PROVIDERS Chat Mobility 909 Senate Ave. 712.623.4066 chatmobility.com Cellular Advantage 1515 N. Broadway Ste. A 712.621.4040 uscellular.com INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS CenturyLink 866.642.0444 centurylink.com Farmers Mutual Telephone Company 410 Broad Ave., Stanton, IA 51573 712.829.2111 myfmtc.com

Transportation Offering a well-rounded transportation network, Red Oak is served by U.S. Highway 34 and State Highway 48, and is just half an hour from Interstate 29.

The Red Oak Municipal Airport is one mile west of Red Oak (1674 200th St.) and offers 24-hour jet fuel and AV gas availability, courtesy car service, flight instruction, an overnight lobby, two paved runways, with the primary runway being 5,100 feet long, plus a turf runway, and a corporate hanger.

A commercial airport is about an hour northwest of Red Oak, Epply Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska.

Red Oak is on the main line of the Burlington Northern San-ta Fe Railroad, and a railroad track spur, owned and maintained by the Montgomery County Development Corporation, runs to the Red Oak Industrial Park.

32 Red Oak Living

NEWSPAPERS Red Oak Express 2012 Commerce Dr. 712.623.2566 redoakexpress.com RADIO STATIONS KCSI-FM / KOAK-AM 1991 Ironwood Ave. 712.623.2584 kcsifm.com KMA Radio 209 N. Elm St., Shenandoah, IA 51601 712.246.5270 kmaland.com KJAN Radio 101.1 FM / 1220 AM PO Box 389, Atlantic, IA 50022 712.243.3920 kjan.com TRANSIT Southwest Iowa Transit Agency 1501 SW 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022 712.243.2518

Red Oak Airport - at night

Clarios Leadership Red Oak tour

Red Oak Green House Leadership Red Oak tour

Bunge Leadership Red Oak tour

January 2024 33

CALENDAR OF EVENTS January .......................... Annual Meeting February.......................... Legislative Briefing March.............................. Leadership Red Oak Kickoff

Where Your Story Begins

March.............................. Legislative Briefing March.............................. Annual Ag Appreciation Dinner April ................................ Legislative Briefing May ................................ Leadership Red Oak Graduation

VISIT • RedOakIowa.com

May ................................ ROCIA Golf Tournament June................................. Junction Days November........................ Holiday Extravaganza November........................ Holiday Kickoff November........................ Small Business Saturday 307 E. Reed St. Red Oak, IA 51566

Junction Days

712-623-4821 info#redoakiowa.com

Web: redoakiowa.com Social: @RedOakChamber

Red Oak Fire Department

Junction Days A very successful and popular National Night Out event is held annually on the first Tuesday of August in downtown Red Oak.

34 Red Oak Living

2024 PROUD INVESTORS OF THE RED OAK CHAMBER AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION The following businesses, organizations and individuals have invested in the future of our community by membership in the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association. Their investment is an assurance to you that they are a business working to make the Red Oak area a better place to work and live.

Acorn Acres

*Counsel Office & Document

*Heartland Foam InSEALators

*AgriVision Equipment Group

CR Graphics

Heritage Hill Pottery

Agri-Solutions

Crossroads Community Church

Hildreth, Nick & Dianne

*AgriSmart Information Systems

Cross Travel

*Houghton State Bank

Air Med Care Network/Air Evac

Cubby’s

*Hy-Vee Food Store

*Allensworth Heating & Cooling

DAC Creamery, LLC

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture PC

*Davis-Taylor Insurance

*ISU Extension & Outreach – Montgomery County

Altrusa Int’l of Red Oak, IA

Dickel Duit Outdoor Power

American City Bureau

*Dental Care PC

*Dovel Refrigeration & Appliance American Legion Ernie Johnson Post #406 Droppett Angels Care Home Health Apple Branches *Arlington Place of Red Oak *Bank Iowa *Batten Sanitation Service Inc. Beautycounter – Adri St. Lezin Bee Quilty *Belt Auto & Trailer Sales Bethlehem Lutheran Church *Billings Apartments *Billings & Mensen Law Office Bills, Brian Boeye Tech & Design BP Gas/Piccadilly Pizza Bradley, Jeff *Brandstetter, Larry and Faye Brockshus Ag Repair Brower Home Improvement Brown, Calvin & Peggy *Bruce Supplies and Construction *Building Crafts, Inc. *Bunge *Camblin Mechanical Can Do Home *Carrick & Associates, LLP Cedar Ridge Aviation Cellular Advantage Central Iowa Ready-Mix, Inc. Chat Mobility City of Red Oak *Clarios, LLC Classy Chassis Car Club Clinton Allen Monuments

Drue Powers Photography Edward Jones Investments Edward Jones-Tim Jackson Essex Community Club Express Employment Professionals Faith Community Church Family Connections Family Vision Center

J Mercantile, LLC Joe’s Portables, LLC John’s Heating & AC Services Johnston Communications, Inc. *KCSI Radio *Kiwanis Club of Red Oak KJAN Radio Kloewer, Ron & Kathy KMA Radio KP Designs KRC Farms, Roger & Kathy Carlson Legacy Mutual Insurance

*Fareway Meat & Grocery

Liddell Auction Services

*Farm Bureau Financial Services & Montgomery Co

LJ Aesthetics Loomis Abstract

Farm Bureau Financial Services – Richard Fisher Agency

Mark Jackson’s Hardware Hank

Farm Credit Services of America

Mary Kay Consultant/Charla Schmid

Finch & Lilac Photography First Christian Church

Mark Jackson’s Ashley Furniture McDonald’s

First Congregational UCC Church

McNeilly Garage Door and Gee Building Systems

First Covenant Church

M&C Resales

First Interstate Bank

MCMH Pharmacy

First United Methodist Church

*Mediacom Communication

*Farmers Mutual Telephone Co.

Mid-America Council (BSA)

FNIC- Trusted Ins. Advisors

MidAmerican Energy Co.

*Fres-co System USA, Inc.

Midwest Data of Iowa

Fridolph, Tim & Dr. Kate

Milestone Financial Group

Friends of the Red Oak Trails

*Mills/Montgomery Co. Cattlemen

Goldsmith Gallery

*Mills/Montgomery Co. Iowa Corn Growers Assoc.

Good Samaritan Society Red Oak Griffen Interiors *H & R Block H & H Trailers by Novae Haley’s Electric Hawkeye Ford Heart & Soul Bridal

Mills County Fair Assoc.

Momentum Exterior Services Monday Club of Red Oak Monica Blay Usborne Books & More *Mont. Co. Agricultural Society Mont. Co. Court of Honor

INVESTORS, Page 36

January 2024 35

INVESTORS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

*Mont. Co. Family YMCA

*Red Oak Do It Center

Summit Carbon Solutions

*Mont. Co. History Center

Red Oak Downtown, LLC

Swanson Law Firm

*Mont. Co. Memorial Hospital

Red Oak Elk’s Lodge #1304

Teeny Weeny Wiener Wagon

Mont. Co. Shooting Sports Club

*Red Oak Express

The Buck Snort

*Mont. Co. Soil & Water Conservation

*Red Oak Fabrication

The Carpet Store & Designs by Denise

Neighborhood Bakehouse LLC

Red Oak Family Medicine

The Five One 8, LLC

*Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel, Inc.

Red Oak Internal Medicine Women’s Health Clinic

*The Green Tree Company

Nelson Trust

Red Oak Farmers Market

*NEW Cooperative, Inc.

Red Oak Glass, Inc.

The Treasure Trove

*Nishna Productions Inc.

Red Oak Grand Theatre, Inc.

*Norris, James and Jan

*Red Oak Greenhouse, Inc.

O’Neal Electric

Red Oak Heart and Soul

Oak Valley Animal Health

Red Oak Heritage Foundation

Optimist Club of Red Oak

Red Oak Rehab & Care Center

*Orme Outdoor

Red Oak Washboard

*Parker-Hannifin Corporation

ReDesigned

*Periwinkle Investments, Inc.

Regency Retirement Residence

Pierson, Jeff & Debbie

Renander Photos

Pizza Hut

Rengstorf Carpentry

Pizza Ranch

Restored BN Depot & WWII Museum

Plumb Supply

Riverbend Heritage Lodge LLC

Pohren, Allen

*Rogers Plumbing & Heating

*Portz, Michael J. & Janet Wade

Rotary Club of Red Oak

*Precision Diesel

*Rubey Realty and Rentals

Pregnancy Center of SW Iowa

Russell Electric LLC

Woodland Park Apartment – Zoul Properties

Presbyterian Church of Red Oak

Rustic Blonde

Your Real Estate Choice

Promotional Concepts

Scooter’s Coffee

Zion Recovery Services, Inc.

Pudgy Pumpkin Patch Gift Shop

*Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home

Red Coach Inn & Suites

Sellers Construction LLC

Red Oak Child Development Center

*Southwest Iowa Tire & Service

*Red Oak Chrysler Inc.

SWCC

*Red Oak Community Schools

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Red Oak Community School District Foundation, Inc.

*Stadium 34

*Red Oak Country Club

*Subway

The LaLa Project *Town & Country Sanitation Tractor Supply *Tri-Valley Bank Turner Technology United Fiber *United Group Insurance Uplift Family Dentistry, LLC *US Bank Valley Antique Estate/Tag Sales Val’s Sugar Shack *Vial Insurance Walnut Creek Acres Westlake Ace Hardware White Sparrow Wilson Performing Arts Center

*Members who sponsor ROCIA events and programs.

Please remember to support the people who support your community!

*State Farm Insurance

Red Oak Living was published by The Red Oak Express through a cooperative effort with the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association. The Red Oak Express, located in Red Oak, has been in business since 1868.

• Peggy Boeye, Bookkeeping, Office Manager, Advertising Sales • Trish Deitchler, Graphic/Layout Design • Nanny Crowe, Circulation, Advertising Sales • Nick Johansen, News 2012 Commerce Drive Red Oak, IA 51566 712.623.2566 redoakexpress.com

36 Red Oak Living

WELCOME TO

Red Oak is a community of around 5,700 people, yet we boast large amenities for Southwest Iowa. One of the finest YMCAs in the Midwest. The outstanding Wilson Performing Arts Center. Expanding educational opportunities. A diverse business community. Parks for children, dogs, golfers, skaters, and more.

RED OAK

Come experience life in the Heart of Southwest Iowa!

The Heart of Southwest Iowa

RED OAK CORPORATE LIMITS

RATLIFF RD.

48

SENATE AVE.

34

OAKRIDGE RD. 8TH ST.

D

OO

BIRCH ST.

CRESTLINE DR.

REED ST.

SUNNY SLO P

EASTERN AVE.

WILSON PARK BIRCHWOOD DR.

LL

O

K OA

FOREST AVE.

KN

T AVE. FORES

CARTER DR.

COLLEGE PARK

HAMMOND ST.

VALLEY ST.

SUMMIT ST.

ROBIN HILL LN.

JOY ST. CORNING ST.

BOUNDARY ST.

8TH ST.

BROAD ST.

7TH ST.

6TH ST.

5TH ST.

4TH ST.

2ND ST.

3RD ST.

1ST ST.

BROADWAY

PROSPECT ST.

CIRCLE DR.

MILLER AVE.

ELM ST.

BRIDGE ST.

HIGHLAND AVE.

SUMMIT ST.

7TH ST.

MAPLE ST.

SONYA CIR.

CHAUTAUQUA ST.

E D R.

AN SUS CIR.

CHAUTAUQUA PARK

OAK ST.

NI S H NABOTN A R I V E R

CHERRY ST.

ANN ST.

LINDEN ST.

NA SHA .

CIR N U A SH .

IR C

N CIR NE .

SKYLINE DR.

IRENE CT.

GREEN WILLOW LN. MARTY DR.

JEA

TORMEY ST.

HILLCREST DR.

WALNUT ST.

DIVISION ST.

CHERRY ST.

KIMBERLY CT.

INMAN DR.

RED OAK ST.

LEGION PARK

SUNSET AVE.

5TH ST.

BROADWAY

EVERGREEN CEMETERY

WOODFIELD DR.

ALIX AVE.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

DW RE .

CIR

EASTERN AVE.

RED OAK SPORTS COMPLEX

SHERWOOD LN.

4TH ST.

RED OAK CORPORATE LIMITS

34

RED OAK TRAILS

COMMERCE DR.

HAMMOND ST.

“E“ ST. GRIMES ST.

DUTTON PARK

1ST AVE.

“B” ST.

NUCKOLS ST.

“A” ST.

R ED

GRIMES ST.

EK RE KC OA

2ND AVE.

HIGH ST.

S. 5TH ST.

INDIAN GULLEY

4TH ST.

S. 8TH ST.

S. 6TH ST.

OAKWOOD AVE.

PARK AVE.

ELM ST.

SANITARIUM AVE.

KELLY PARK

Digital Map of Red Oak

OHIO AVE.

48

Do you want more information about: •Red Oak in general?

•Our business community?

•Volunteer oportunities?

•Benefits of joining the ROCIA? Contact our office; we are happy to help!

S. 6TH ST.

4TH ST.

RED OAK DOG PARK

HIGH ST.

OAKWOOD AVE.

RIVERVIEW DR.

S. 5TH ST.

BLUEGRASS RD.

S. 3RD ST.

N. 2ND ST.

SHORT ST.

S. 1ST ST.

S. BROADWAY

W. 3RD ST.

4TH AVE.

W. 2ND ST.

W. 4TH ST.

W. 5TH ST.

MARKET ST.

3RD AVE.

MARSDEN AVE.

ST.

WASHINGTON AVE. “C” ST.

KELLY CIR.

CEN

TER

TOWLE ST.

COOLBAUGH ST.

JENNIFER CIR.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

Scan this QR Code with your smartphoneʼs camera app to access more info about Red Oakʼs Visitor Map.

RED OAK CORPORATE LIMITS

Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association

A: 307 East Reed Street, Red Oak, Iowa 51566 P: (712) 623-4821 E: info@redoakiowa.com W: www.redoakiowa.com

Maps are available at various retailers, restaurants, venues, lodging locations, and the Red Oak Chamber office.

www.redoakiowa.com/map

January 2024 37

One of the amazing cars on display during Old Car Days, held annually on the third Saturday of August in downtown Red Oak.

Montgomery County Fair Demo Derby

Holiday Extravaganza

Junction Days weekend every last full weekend of June.

Carriage Rides

Santa and Mrs. Claus

38 Red Oak Living

Red Oak Hardware Hank & Hallmark Gold Crown Store

Mark ’s on Jacks

315 E Reed Street, North side of Fountain Square Park | 712-623-2290 Mon - Thurs 8 am - 8 pm • Fri & Sat 8 am - 6pm • Sun 12-5 pm

RedOakHardware.com

Cards for All Occasions Gifts for Someone Special WE’RE YOUR BEST HARDWARE STORE

Holiday Ornaments Hallmark Keepsakes

& A WHOLE LOT MORE! ALL TV’S & APPLIANCES INCLUDE FREE DELIVERY

MARK JACKSON’ JACKSON’S FURNITURE On the South Side of Fountain Square Park 318 E Coubaugh St. Red Oak, Iowa 51566

Hours: Mon-Fri. 11 am – 5 pm Sat. 10 am –3 pm

FREE LAYAWAY • FREE ASSEMBLY • FREE DELIVERY

Call or contact us at Red Oak Hardware Hank to set up an appointment outside regular hours.

January 2024 39

Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics

I M PROV IN G COMMUNI T Y HEALT H WWW.MCMH.ORG

G iv e u s a ca ll t od a y!

712.623.7000

SERVICES: Advanced Primary Stroke Center Emergency Services Family Practice & Internal Skilled Care Medicine Clinics Inpatient Services Laboratory Services Nutrition Services Oncology & Hematology Infusion Center Orthopedic Center Radiology & Imaging Respiratory Therapy

7 Clinic Locations in Red Oak, Villisca & Malvern

NOW OPEN!

MCMH

Sleep Study Center Surgery / Anesthesia Cardic & Pulmonary Rehab Women’s Health Dermatology Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Social Services & more!

180+ Providers & 21+ Specialty Services

MCMH + Clinics is proud to be the largest employer in Montgomery County and offers a competitive benefits

Improving Community Health every prescription. every time.

40 Red Oak Living

package!

NEW MRI SCANNER 2024 - Largest & Quietest in the area

24/7 Emergency Dept. with in house physicians