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RAGBRAI is Coming to Town! |
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Gretchen Reichter, Kim Kibbie, Patrick Degen, Nancy Degen, and Deb Hite at RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party |
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Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator Gretchen Reichter in Emmetsburg's booth at Iowa Bike Expo |
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First meeting of community leaders and RAGBRAI staff |
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Did you hear the exciting news? RAGBRAI will once again be coming to town on Tuesday, July 26th for an overnight stay! Emmetsburg representatives attended the route announcement party and Iowa Bike Expo in Des Moines on January 28th and 29th to celebrate the good news and showcase our community to potential RAGBRAI riders and visitors.
The City, Chamber, businesses and community organizations met with RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen and Marketing Director Anne Lawrie today to begin the months-long planning process. We’re eager to begin the planning process and welcome riders in July!
Volunteers will be key to making RABGRAI a success. We need as many hands as possible - that means you! Whether you’d like to volunteer for a few hours while riders or in town or you’d like to be a part of the local committee that will put together all things RAGBRAI leading up to July 26th, we’d love to have you. Please visit www.emmetsburgragbrai.com/volunteer to sign up to help. There you’ll also see a full list and descriptions of working committees. These include:
- Housing
- Campgrounds
- Showers, Sensitization, Recycling
- Publicity
- Hospitality
- Web & Social Media
- Information Center
- Volunteer Coordination
- Food & Vendors
- Electrical
- Beverage Garden
- Entertainment & Special Events
- Public Safety
- Law Enforcement
- Medical
- Communications
- Transportation
- Sponsorship & Fundraising
A steady stream of information and announcements will be coming from the local organizing committees in the coming months. Stay tuned for information about vendor booths, local fundraising opportunities, hosting riders in your home, entertainment, and more. Information will be shared on ragbrai.com, emmetsburgragbrai.com, and through local media outlets. Additional questions may be sent to emmetsburgragbrai@gmaill.com.
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City Announcements
Pet Licenses
It’s time to renew your animal license. Emmetsburg City Code, Chapter 56.02, states that every owner of a dog over the age of six months shall procure a dog license. The annual license fee is $5 for each male or female dog, and $3 for each neutered dog. To license your dog, you must have a current veterinarian’s certificate showing that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies.
Closed Presidents’ Day
Emmetsburg City Hall and EMU offices will be closed on Monday, February 21 in honor of Presidents’ Day. Monday’s solid waste route will be picked up on Tuesday, February 22.
Thank you from the Library!
The Emmetsburg Public Library Board of Trustees graciously thanks the following individuals for their generous gifts during the second half of 2021:
- Diane Johnson - $50
- Ruth Ann Van Donslear - $20 in memory of Doctor Louscher
- Deb and Darnell Schumacher - $70 in memory of Denny Faber
- Sharon Hobart - $20 in memory of Doris Gustafson
- Mary E. King - $30
- William Gustafson - $55 in memory of Doris Gustafson
- Connie Faber - $200 in memory of Denny Faber
- Jane Whitmore - $20 in memory of Lorrie McNally
- Jane Whitmore - $20 in memory of Marlene Walker
- Jane Whitmore - $20 in memory of Bill Elingrod
- Jane Whitmore - $20 in memory of Pam Englin
- Allison Price - $50 in memory of Doris Gustafson
- Joan Tunnicliff - $100
- Marvin E. Simonsen - $35,640
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Fond Memories
Message from the Chamber of Commerce |
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RAGBRAI 49 is returning to Emmetsburg on Tuesday, July 26 which will be the fifth time that Emmetsburg has risen to the task of hosting up to 20,000 visitors in one day. Personally I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase Emmetsburg once again and to see our community come together to welcome the riders and their staff.
As an overnight town, Emmetsburg had a booth at the 2022 Bike Expo where we met riders, charters, and vendors. We talked about our bike trails and lake, Wild Rose Casino, the Shores at Five Island, our upcoming St. Pat’s celebration, and Homebrew Fest. Our booth was busy for six hours sharing about Emmetsburg and hearing the stories they had to tell of being here before.
Fond memories were shared about sitting by Five Island Lake and enjoying our bands in 2014. One was thrilled with the carpet that smoothed the railroad tracks coming into town, another talked of preparing a gourmet meal for their host family. A charter appreciates how swiftly we handled an emergency of one of the riders. We heard of college roommates, friends, family and being here for St. Pat’s.
What a heartwarming experience representing Emmetsburg. It’s true. RAGBRAI really does love Emmetsburg!
Deb Hite
Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283
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Abraham Lincoln is Coming to the Library!
Abraham Lincoln is coming to the Emmetsburg Public Library! On February 17th at 6 p.m., the library will be hosting Danny Russell, an actor and experienced Lincoln impersonator. Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of the most influential presidents in United States history. He will come alive during this special performance in honor of his birthday.
Danny Russell has been in the acting business for more than 30 years. He has committed his life to teaching viewers about important figures in Indiana history. He started his career as Lincoln with months of research and visits to Lincoln’s birthplace, childhood home, Gettysburg, PA, and Washington, D.C. Since he is portraying such an important historical figure, his show actually had to be vetted by the Indiana Arts Commission for accuracy. Once approved, Russell was able to take his show on the road.
Russell performs in Lincoln’s customary black suit and stovepipe hat as he explores the life, hilarity, heartbreak, and humanity of Abraham Lincoln. This performance is for adults and kids alike. Runtime is about an hour with time for questions at the end of the show.
“As you relive Lincoln’s legacy, it’s a real highlight because of [his] expertise! Abe couldn’t be portrayed better,” commented Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana.
We look forward to seeing you on February 17th at 6 p.m. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 712-852-4009.
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Five Island Golf & The Shores Updates
Golf Memberships: Five Island Golf is offering a new type of membership this year! In 2022 golfers will have the option to purchase league-only memberships which will allow them to golf on league nights while participating in our summer and/or fall golf leagues. A summer league-only membership will cost $214, and a fall league-only membership will cost $80.25 (including tax). All other membership rates will remain the same. Email Alissa Kliegl at akliegl@emmetsburg.com for more information.
Merchandise: Our custom Emmetsburg tea towels, designed by Doe A Deer, are back in stock! If you weren’t able to grab one from our first batch, swing out now and purchase one!
Food & Beverage Specials: Don’t miss the great daily food and drink specials at The Shores. We have $3 kids’ meals on Tuesdays, wing night on Wednesdays, $2 well drinks on Thursdays, $4 Moscow Mules (3-7pm) and several appetizer specials on Fridays, and $10 buckets of beer (6 domestic cans) on Saturdays! Plus, this Saturday, February 12th we’re offering 1/2 off appetizers ALL DAY LONG!
Save the Date: Join us for our annual Bloody Mary Bar on Saturday, March 19, and save the date for our first Bridal/Wedding Showcase at The Shores on Sunday, April 3rd!
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Planning for our Future
Emmetsburg Receiving Two $10,000 Grants for Rural Initiatives
In January, Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced that more than $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to rural communities across the state through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. "Rural communities are the backbone of our state, and this latest round of grants will help them tackle tough challenges like housing, childcare, and recruitment," said Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. "The Empower Rural Iowa initiative looks forward to building on this success and further ensuring opportunity and prosperity are present in all corners of Iowa."
Emmetsburg was fortunate to be selected for both the Rural Housing Assessment grant and the Rural Child Care Market Study grant! Both programs will provide $10,000 for research and implementation practices.
The Rural Housing Readiness Assessment, offered by ISU Extension and Outreach Community & Economic Development, is a tool that helps communities self-assess their housing needs and guides them in the decision-making process when addressing those needs.
The Rural Child Care Market Study grant, a brand new program offered in partnership with First Children’s Finance, will involve an in-depth analysis of the local child care needs, supply, and gap. The analysis will be used by the community in a facilitated process to develop a strategic plan to address the identified needs.
Both programs will empower our community to assess our current environment and develop strategies to address existing and future challenges/barriers.
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TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays at 4:15 PM @ Iowa Welcome Center |
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM @ Family Life Center |
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Tea Time Cinema
Thursdays at 2:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Classic movie is shown + tea is served. Free and open to all.
Call library for titles showing and more info: 712-852-4009.
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After-School Homework Help
Weeknights (Mon-Thurs) from 4-5 PM at the Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Mobile Food Pantry
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 5:00-6:30 PM @ Grace Baptist Church |
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Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training
February 9: Commercial Ag Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Training
February 16: Seed Treatment
March 2: Ornamental and Turf
March 9: Certified Handlers
Sponsored by ISU Extension & Outreach
Pre-registration required by calling 712-852-2865 |
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Informational Meetings - ISU Research Farm Facilities
February 10 from 9:30-11:00 AM @ ISU Extension
Pre-registration required |
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"Night of Jazz" Spaghetti Dinner
February 11: Dinner at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM
Presented by Emmetsburg Music Department |
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Kiwanis Super Pancake Breakfast
February 13 from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM @ VFW
Sponsored by Horizons Unlimited |
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Classics at the Riviera showing "MARTY"
February 13 at 4:30 PM @ Riviera Theatre
Sponsored by Palo Alto County Arts Council with a grant from the Arthur & Audrey Smith Foundation |
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Farm Bill Meeting for Ag Producers
February 15 from 1:00-3:00 PM @ ISU Extension
Pre-register by calling 712-852-2865 |
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Pesticide Applicator Training
February 5 from 8:30-10:00 AM @ Emmetsburg Welcome Center
Hosted by ISU Extension & Outreach
Pre-register by calling 712-852-2865 |
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Abraham Lincoln Impersonator
February 17 at 6:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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City Hall & EMU Offices Closed - Presidents' Day
February 21 |
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VFW Lenten Fish Fry
First of eight weeks of fish fries
February 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM @ VFW
To-go orders may be called in at 712-298-0883 |
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The Emmetsburg newsletter is produced by the City of Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator. |
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