Read what's going on in Emmetsburg this month
greichter@emmetsburg.com
Second Annual Community Showcase
The City of Emmetsburg and Emmetsburg Community School District, in partnership with the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce and ISU Extension and Outreach Palo Alto County, are hosting the second annual Community Showcase event to highlight all that Emmetsburg has to offer: activities, groups, services, products, charities, businesses, churches, and more. Join us at The Shores at Five Island Community Center on Wednesday, November 9th from 5:00-8:30 PM for free food and activities and to learn more about this place we call home. 
greichter@emmetsburg.com
greichter@emmetsburg.com
greichter@emmetsburg.com
Last year, over sixty businesses and organizations participated in the event, and 300 meals were served!
Be a Part of the 2022 Community Showcase
Calling all clubs, businesses, churches, service groups, youth/adult activities, rec leagues, etc! You're invited to participate in our Community Showcase. Register for a table/booth by visiting https://tinyurl.com/eburgshowcase2022 or contacting Gretchen Reichter at 712-415-1142 or greichter@emmetsburg.com.
 
Take this opportunity to share information about your organization, connect with community members, and show off what Emmetsburg has to offer. Exhibit space is limited, so register your group as soon as possible to lock in your space. We'll do our best to accommodate as many groups as we can.

City & EMU Announcements

greichter@emmetsburg.com

Trick or Treat

The official trick-or-treat time in Emmetsburg will be from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Halloween - Monday, October 31st. If you would like to receive trick-or-treaters, please turn your porch light on. Please be extra vigilant for the little ghost and goblins that will we be out trick-or-treating. Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Great Community Effort
Message from the Emmetsburg Chamber

The Scarecrow Contest and Stroll was a big success due to all who participated on all levels. Our favorite events are those that bring the community together and the Scarecrow contest and Autumn Spice event was one of these. 

 

Emerald Oaks Independent & Assisted Living's entry, “Esmeralda”, was the winner of the business category with the most votes. Close behind were entries from Clover Cottage and Free Spirit Nest. Gretchen Reichter won the residential contest with her “Scarecrow in a bubble bath”.  Both winners won $150 in Chamber Bucks which in turn will be spent supporting Chamber businesses.

greichter@emmetsburg.com
greichter@emmetsburg.com

Thursday night of Autumn Spice, businesses were busy with shoppers and serving up treats. The vendors appreciated the good turnout at the VFW while pumpkins were painted, photos were taken in Mural Park and people rode between locations. Peg McNally was the winner of the Fall Staycation Package


Some are already creating ideas for next year’s scarecrow, and we encourage you to join us making Emmetsburg look festive during this beautiful season. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this event a success!  


Time to start planning for the holidays!

Child Care Survey
Parents - We want to hear from you!
 
Child care has been identified as an urgent need in the Emmetsburg area. To better understand the need so that potential solutions can be identified, ISU Extension and Outreach Palo Alto County, with assistance from First Children’s Finance (FCF), is participating in a child care study and we need your help! A part of the study is conducting a survey to gain feedback from those that live or work in the area and currently have children age 12 or younger, or are planning to have or adopt children in the next 5 years. This survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help inform decisions about child care in Emmetsburg.
About the Study
Child care is a challenge across rural communities in Iowa and across the nation. Determining a solution involves more than just the physical construction of a new facility. Many factors need to be carefully analyzed to first determine the market feasibility for development of a child care center, expansion of an existing one, or support for in-home providers. The Rural Child Care Market Study program aims to support the use of data and analysis to determine specific needs and solutions. Through greater understanding of geographic market, demographics, competition, and other factors, our community will be armed with the information needed to make proactive steps towards addressing child care challenges. Funding for the program was awarded through Empower Rural Iowa.
New Harrison Park Safe Crossing
Community Visioning Project
Throughout 2021, the Emmetsburg Community Visioning Committee developed several landscape- and transportation-enhancement design concepts, including a plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle routes/safety throughout the community. Improving the pedestrian crossing at Highway 18 (Main Street) and Call Street next to Harrison Park was identified as a top priority for early implementation considering the number of children walking between West Elementary School and Harrison Park. Thanks to grant funding through Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation (PACGDC), the Community Visioning Committee was able to purchase new DOT-approved rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) and a painted crosswalk at the busy intersection as a means of improving safety at the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. The City of Emmetsburg Public Properties Department provided in-kind labor to install the sign system and paint the crosswalk lines on Highway 18. The RRFB crosswalk system with flashing lights will alert drivers and provide a safer opportunity for pedestrians to cross Highway 18. 
greichter@emmetsburg.com
greichter@emmetsburg.com
How Pedestrians Use RRFBs
The RRFB is simple to use. The lights, which remain dark when not in use, are activated by pushing the button on the post. Once activated, the lights (beacons) begin to flash to provide drivers with a real-time warning when pedestrians are in or about to use the crosswalk. Pedestrians must still practice safe crossing habits. They must wait on the sidewalk until the roadway is clear or cars have stopped. While crossing, the pedestrian should actively monitor the roadway, making sure to pay attention to all cars. Despite having the right-of-way, it’s always wise for a pedestrian to cross carefully and defensively. 
 
How Drivers Use RRFBs
When drivers see the RRFB has been activated, they must slow down and yield or stop if a pedestrian wants to cross or is in the crosswalk. Drivers should come to a stop at or before the painted crosswalk. They must allow the pedestrian to pass through the crosswalk before proceeding, even if the RRFB's lights have stopped flashing. Iowa Code requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers should yield to pedestrians in crosswalks even if the RRFB has not been activated.
Steak Night at The Shores
greichter@emmetsburg.com
Head to The Shores this Saturday, October 15th for steak night! The kitchen will be serving steaks only from 5-9pm. Choose from a ribeye steak dinner for $26.95 or a New York strip steak dinner for $24.95. Meals include a steak, salad, baked potato, mixed vegetables, and dinner roll.
 
Limited seating is available. Reservations are required to guarantee seating/steak selection. Please call 712-852-3422 to reserve a table, and be ready to provide the number in your party and which steak dinner(s) your party would like. Plenty of open time slots are still available after 7:00pm. Please call by Wednesday, October 12 to guarantee your steak selection.
 
Can't commit to a reservation? Walk-ins will be welcome as seating and food supply allow. Simply call ahead to confirm we have seating and your preferred steak.
 
City of Emmetsburg Opening Pre-Applications for Community Catalyst Grant Program
The City of Emmetsburg has the opportunity to partner with a local property owner to apply for a $100,000 grant through the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The program can help spur development in underutilized buildings by assisting with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community.  
 

Beginning this Friday, October 14, the City will be accepting pre-applications from property owners that would like to be considered for this grant. Pre-application documents and guidelines will be posted to www.emmetsburg.com. If multiple pre-applications are received, the City will choose the project that is most catalytic and is most likely to be funded based on the state's scoring criteria. The City will then work with the selected property owner to prepare and submit an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by the April deadline.

 

A strong application will:

  • Make use of a property that is largely underutilized/vacant
  • Be a catalyst for economic development
  • Improve the appearance of the downtown district and community
  • Use suitable rehab/treatment of the building and its historic features
  • Involve rehab of an entire building
  • Include a new business or business expansion (main floor)
  • Create new housing units (upper story)
  • Show excellent match from property owner (minimum $100,000)
If you have questions, please contact Gretchen Reichter, Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator, at 712-415-1142 or greichter@emmetsburg.com
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
greichter@emmetsburg.com
Afterschool Homework Help
Monday-Thursday at 3:45 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
VFW Bingo
Every Monday - Light meal at 5:30 PM and regular BINGO from 6:45-9:00 PM @ Emmetsburg VFW
Popcorn-Time Movie
Every Tuesday at 1:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library, Room 17
Food Pantry
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 5:00-6:30 PM @ Grace Baptist Church
TOPS® Meeting
Every Wednesday at 4:30 PM @ Iowa Welcome Center
Tea Time Cinema
Every Thursday 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.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Every Thursday at 7:30 PM @ Family Life Center
Farmer's Market
Every Thursday from 12:00-5:00 PM
Every Saturday from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Located on 10th Street along Courthouse Square
Pokémon Club
Every Friday at 3:45 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library, Room 14
Friday Football Special Menu & Extended Hours
Every Friday from 5-11 PM @ The Shores
PACGDC Grant Education Meetings
Oct 12 at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM @ Wild Rose Casino
Because of the online grant application process, organizations interested in submitting a grant application MUST have someone attend one of these meetings
Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary Meeting
Oct 13 at 1:30 PM @ PACHS Health Ed Room
Mobile Food Pantry
Oct 13 from 5:00-7:00 PM @ Grace Baptist Church
Pre-register by calling Palo Alto County Conservation at 712-837-4866
Main Street Community Theatre presents “The Play that Goes Wrong” 
Oct 14 and Oct 15 at 7:30 PM
Oct 15 at 2:00 PM
General Admission Tickets are available for $10 online or at the box office one hour prior to curtain.
Steak Night at The Shores
Oct 15 from 5:00-9:00 PM @ The Shores at Five Island
Reservations required to guarantee steak preference and seating - Call 712-852-3422
Dad's Belgian Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser for Lost Island Nature Center
Oct 16 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM @ Emmetsburg VFW
Advanced tickets are being sold for $8 and can be purchased from a Foundation Board Member or at the Lost Island Nature Center.  Tickets at the door are $10.  Carry out meals are available! 
Pork Loin Scholarship Dinner at Bethany Lutheran
Oct 16 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM @ Bethany Lutheran Church
Preschool Storytime
Oct 17 at 10:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Karen Kedrowski Title IX Presentation
Oct 18 at 6:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Catholic Daughters Coffee & Bake Sale
Oct 21 from 9:30-10:30 AM @ Holy Family Parish
Preschool Storytime - "B is for (Teddy) Bear"
Oct 24 at 10:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Winute to Win It
Oct 25 from 2:45-4:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library, Room 14
Make Your Own Paper Flowers
Oct 27 from 2:45-4:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
GAMELab - "Sheriff of Nottingham"
Oct 28 from 1:00-3:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Preschool Storytime - "J is for Jack-O-Lantern"
Oct 31 at 10:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Trunk or Treat
Oct 31 from 4:30-7:00 @ Bethany Lutheran
Emmetsburg Trick or Treat Night
Oct 31 from 5:00-7:00
Aging Well Event
Nov 1 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM @ First UMC Family Life Center
Topics included will be 5 Wishes, Scam Awareness, Funeral Planning, and Financial Information.  The conference will provide information and strategies for healthy aging for alder adults, their families and caregivers.  This is free to all and lunch will be provided.  RSVP by October 30 by calling Community Health at 712-852-5419 or First UMC at 712-852-2154. 
The Emmetsburg newsletter is produced by the City of Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator.
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2021 Main St, Emmetsburg, IA, 50536


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