SW Iowa Happenings: Dec. 10 – Dec. 23
receive
Holiday
Open House
Thursday, Dec. 11 2–4 p.m.
115 E. Main Street
The Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Board and staff invite the public to stop in for refreshments and holiday cheer as they thank members and the community for a year of support.
Southwest Iowa Humane Society Holiday Photo Fundraiser Friday, Dec. 13 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tractor Supply
100 Essie Davison Dr. Pets and people alike are invited for photos with Santa or the Grinch. Digital photos will be provided, along with pet basket door prizes. Suggested donation is $10. All proceeds benefit the local animal shelter.
ESSEX
Santa’s Toy Shop
Saturday, Dec. 13
9–10:30 a.m.
Trojan Hall
111 Forbes St.
This family-friendly event includes cookie decorating, crafts with the Essex High School cheer squad, a Scholastic Book Fair, doughnuts, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa. Sponsored by the Essex Community Club and Tri Valley Bank.
Holiday Decorating Contest
Judging:
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Essex residents are encouraged to get their holiday lights and
Clark Tree Service rolled through the Clarinda Lighted Christmas Parade with one of its large trucks fully decorated in festive lights. Watch future issues for more photos and information.
decorations up for the annual decorating contest. No entry is required, and all decorated homes within city limits are eligible.
RED OAK
The Wilson Holiday Open House
Thursday, Dec. 12
4–6 p.m.
Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Dr. Tour the facility, enjoy free cookies and cocoa, and enter the wreath raffle during this festive open house.
Winter Wonderland
Saturday, Dec. 14
2–5 p.m.
Montgomery County Family YMCA
101 E. Cherry St.
This free community event includes holiday fire truck rides, games, hot chocolate, treats, and photos with Santa.
Red Oak Police Department Toys for Tots Donations will be accepted through Dec. 17. Fareway, 811 N. Broadway
The Red Oak Police Department is now accepting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0–14, as well as monetary donations, as part of its 10th Annual Toys for Tots program. Children may be signed up to receive toys on Dec. 4 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Fareway with a Dec. 5 deadline. Help make this holiday season even more special for local families. For more information, contact the Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500.
Fill the Truck & Fuel the Community Food Drive Dec. 1–19
TNT Ford, 2027 U.S. Highway 34 East PHOTO
BY LIZ SKILLERN lizskillern2@gmail.com
Seventy-nine classic and custom vehicles filled the Fareway Grocery parking lot in Shenandoah early on the morning of Oct. 12 as drivers gathered for the 9th Annual Southwest Iowa Car Cruise, an event that has become a fall tradition rooted in community, fellowship, and giving back.
At 9 a.m., the caravan of cruisers hit the road, traveling through 12 towns and covering 140 miles throughout the day. By late afternoon, the group returned to Shenandoah and parked at The Mill, where volunteers from the Shenandoah Community Food Bank served a warm meal to the drivers and their guests. Proceeds from the event totaled $1,005 and were donated directly to the Shenandoah Community Food Pantry.
The event is organized by Dave and Deb Gammell, who founded the cruise nine years ago in memory of Dave’s close friend, Howard Rush of Griswold.
“It all started when Howard passed away,” Gammell said. “He had a private museum called Fords and More, and before the collection was sold, we invited people for one last showing. From there, we cruised from Griswold to Atlantic. Everyone enjoyed it so much they said we should do it again, and that’s how it grew.”
From that first year’s simple donation box benefiting the Red Cross, the cruise has evolved into a fully planned, day-long event that changes routes every year.
Gammell carefully maps each cruise, ensuring scenic views, scheduled breaks, gas stops, restrooms, and meal locations, all provided in a detailed route packet participants receive the morning of the cruise.
“My wife Deb and I go out a few weeks ahead of time to verify everything and make sure there are no hiccups with the route,” Gammell said. “She is a huge help with the event.”
Cruisers know the starting point, but the rest of the journey is part of the adventure. “One thing that makes it special is that we never tell anyone the route ahead of time,” Gammell said. “I only tell them where we’re starting and that we’ll come back to the same town. When I was a kid, Sunday drives were like that— you just got in the car and enjoyed the ride.”
This year’s cruise included a special return to a preCOVID tradition: a stop at a private vehicle collection near Underwood, where participants were able to tour the collection and enjoy a catered lunch together.
“That really stood out this year,” Gammell said. “It gives everyone more time to visit, build friendships, and enjoy the history behind these vehicles.” Participants came from
across southwest Iowa, as well as Missouri and Nebraska. Each driver pays a $25 registration fee, which includes a custom event T-shirt and route materials. After expenses, all remaining proceeds are donated to local causes. Over nine years, the cruise has contributed more than $10,000 back to communities, primarily supporting area food pantries.
“We truly are a family,” Gammell said. “I send out newsletters twice a year, and I call everyone our cruise family. These are people who respect each other, stay together, and enjoy the day as a community.”
The cruise is traditionally held the second Sunday in October to capture peak fall color, although Iowa weather
has occasionally had other plans, including snow one year.
Looking ahead, 2026 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Southwest Iowa Car
Cruise. Once again, the event will begin in a different southwest Iowa town, with a brand-new route already in the works. “I’m humbled every year
Cruise to Jeannine Liljedahl of the Shenandoah
families in need.
Essex Legacy Garden receives $4,500
in grants to support growth, student learning
BY LIZ SKILLERN lizskillern2@gmail.com
The Essex Community School District’s Legacy Garden has received a combined $4,500 in grant funding to continue improving its growing space and expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students and the community.
The garden was awarded a $3,500 grant from the Whole Foods Market Foundation and an additional $1,000 from the Newman’s Own Foundation. The funding will be used to strengthen the garden’s infrastructure and support future production.
“The Legacy Garden was started in 2020, and as we all remember, that was not an ideal year to launch something new,” said Tammy Johnson, who oversees the project. “Since 2021, we’ve worked hard to build the garden into what it is today.” Currently, the garden
includes raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, blueberries, and lingonberries. It also features raised beds, herb boxes, a pollinator garden, and a newly added greenhouse that will be utilized this year.
“The motto of our garden is, ‘If you built something, gave us a dollar, planted a seed or pulled a weed, you are a part of the Legacy,’” Johnson said. “It truly has been a community effort.”
The recent grant funding will be used to upgrade the garden’s watering system, build potting benches, and help cover the cost of mulch, seeds, potting soil, and other supplies. After five years of use, the group is also working on reseeding grass pathways and replacing some existing raised beds.
“As all gardeners know, the work never ends,” Johnson said. “This funding helps us maintain what we’ve built while planning for the future.”
The garden serves multiple purposes across the school and community, including supporting students, the culinary program, and the school lunch program. In past years, surplus produce has been donated to the local food pantry.
“The ag classes and FFA students have been a consistent workforce,” Johnson said. “We hope to continue adding more activities for students of all ages.”
Funding for the garden also comes from its annual spring plant sale, held the first Saturday in May, along with ongoing donations from the local community. Seeds, plants, pots and monetary contributions are received throughout the year.
TEAMWORK
Essex students work together to install a new waterline to the Legacy Garden greenhouse, an important infrastructure upgrade supported by recent grant funding from the Whole Foods Market Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.
“The generosity of our community has been phenomenal,” Johnson said. “These grants from the Whole Foods Market Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation will help us complete and upgrade the framework of the garden so we can focus even more on student and community engagement and on producing food.”
PHOTO PROVIDED
Share in the spirit of the season by donating nonperishable food items to help provide meals and groceries for local families in need.
SHENANDOAH
“Rhythm & Pep:
The Vaudeville Career of the Pearson Brothers”
Dec. 10 | 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Shenandoah Public Library Auditorium, 201 S Elm St.
Author Daniel Henderson shares the remarkable true story of Earl and Carl Pearson, two Clarinda brothers who rose from rural Iowa to national vaudeville fame in the early 1900s. A book signing will follow.
Christmas Market
Dec. 11 | 4–7 p.m.; Dec. 13 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Mill Downtown 818 W Sheridan Ave.
Browse local artisans, holiday décor, and unique gifts in a festive market setting. A great opportunity to support small businesses and find special holiday treasures.
36th Annual Tannenbaum Tea
Dec. 13 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Elks Lodge, 709 S Fremont St.
Enjoy drink, food, and festive treats at this beloved holiday gathering. Everyone is welcome!
Tickets are $30 per person, which includes a donation to this year’s recipient, Turnbull Child Development Center. RSVP by Dec. 6 via email to tannenbaumtea89@gmail. com or message Tannenbaum Tea on Facebook.
Wassail Bowl Stag
Dec. 13 | 12 noon–2 p.m.
Elm Street Grill
Help celebrate 74 years of tradition, community,
and charity at the annual Shenandoah Wassail Bowl Stag! This fundraiser benefits the Shenandoah School nurse, with funds supporting children in need for clothing, glasses, and more. The cost is $30, and payment may be made at the door. Please RSVP by emailing wassailbowl@gmail.com or marking “Going” on the Shenandoah Wassail Bowl Stag Facebook event page.
Christmas Tea
Dec. 16 | 4 p.m.
Shenandoah Public Library Auditorium, 201 S Elm St.
Join friends for an afternoon of tea, treats, music, and holiday fellowship, an inviting pause during the busy season.
Free Holiday Movie Event
Saturday, Dec. 20
Doors open 9 a.m., movie at 10 a.m.
Legacy 3 Theatre
Enjoy a free showing of Elf, courtesy of Legacy 3 Theatre. Free holiday snack packs provided by the SCIA.
SIDNEY
Nightmare Before Christmas Toy Drive
Dec. 13 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Gathering Place, 609 Cass St.
Operation Krampus, hosted by Sinister Sidney, is a unique first-year toy drive featuring hot cocoa, reindeer games, and photos with a mischievous “Santa” for those brave enough to pose. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for any age to help spread holiday cheer.
Sidney Christmas Window Walk Saturday, Dec. 13 | 5–7 p.m.
Sidney Town Square
Enjoy decorated storefronts, hayrack rides through the “Christmas Town” light display, a letters-to-Santa station, and festive surprises throughout downtown.
Classifieds
AUTOMOBILES
1990 Chevy 2500 4WD, long bed, rough, but solid engine, transmission and tires, 712-246-5016
2011 RAM 1500 Hemi, SLT, with topper, 92,000 miles, 218-639-0686
2011 Nissan Juke, blue, low miles, clean car, $4,250, 712-789-2026
2014 Jeep Patriot, silver, 4x4, 150k miles, $4,300, runs great! 712-789-2026
FOR HIRE
Lady will clean, cook, house-sit, people or animal care, 402-547-3712
FOR RENT OR SALE
Crystal Glassware and dishes, rent or buy, 402-5473712.
FOR SALE
ProForm electric fold-up treadmill, L18, wide deck, $100, 712-246-9999.
Ping Golf Clubs: Irons, 3-9; Woods, Driver, 3, 4, 5, Call 402-981-5830
Oak coffee end table with one drawer and glass top, asking $40, 712-215-5206
Ceramic lamp with floral design, shade included, $25, 712-215-5206
2 8x10 tarps, brand new in package, 712-246-5440
4 Brand New Trash Barrels with wheels, Rubber Neck, 32-gallon, never been used712-246-5440
Vintage Huffy Dr. Pepper Bike, boys 26-inch, 712246-5440
4 metal lawn chairs, 712246-5440
Professional decorative silver wooden frame, 6 inches wide. For 12X16 picture. Hangs horizontally or vertically. 712-202-6333
Restored antique furniture and weather vanes, Clarinda, 712-438-1940
Disassembled complete set of numbered piano keys. 712-202-6333
PETS
Purebred Great Dane puppies due the end of November, first week of December. Both mom and dad are in the home. Have had genetic testing and 100% healthy. Puppies will have age appropriate vaccinations and dew claws removed. Taking deposits for special requests – 531-999-0539 ask for Tiphany
6 month old Lilac Great Dane puppy named Flora. born 6/6/25 to momma Millie Gene and dad Winston. Flora is the last of her litter of (8). She is kennel trained, house trained, does great with all animals. Loves humans! Age appropriate vaccinations have been given. Inquiries @ 531-999-0539 For Adoption: Half Australian Shepherd pups, 712-246-5016.
Classified ads run until the item sells. Please notify us when the item sells.
APARTMENT FOR RENT
One bedroom apartment for ages 55 and older and/or disabled. Utilities paid, small pets allowed.
Autumn Park Apartments
201 N. Blossom St., Shenandoah, IA Phone 712-246-4898
Tree Trimming • Removal • Stump Grinding Insured • Residential • Commercial • Free Estimates Red Oak 712-623-8118 Clarinda 712-542-8111 Serving all of Southwest Iowa
Fresh Start Church
322 E. Grant, Clarinda Bishop Troy Sawyers @ 712-471-2403
Schedule of Events Dec. 13th 10 a.m. - Noon Baby Boutique - Free diapers and baby clothes (Must be present) Dec. 21st following 11 a.m. service Stocking Stuffers All children present receive a stocking to fill with toys and candy.
Clarinda: 1200 S. 16th Street | Shenandoah: 500 S. Fremont Street | Red Oak: 1605 N. Broadway Street