Grief group starts Sunday in Hartley

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley will host a grief support group beginning this Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2:30 p.m. Sessions will continue for the following five Sundays.

The event is free and open to anyone. See the ad on Page 4 for more details.

Red’s serving variety of options Jan. 18

Red’s Catering in downtown Hartley will be serving three carryout specials on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. See the ad on Page 4.

HPL classic movie matinee is Jan. 16

Hartley Public Library will be hosting a classic movie matinee at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17. They will be screening “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies!” Popcorn will be provided.

Food distribution at Trinity UCC

The Food Bank of Iowa’s mobile pantry program will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 18, starting at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley. The program is available free of charge and geared toward individuals in need of food assistance.

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and line up on the east side of the parking lot. The food will be brought to you as you drive under the canopy.

HLC food pantry

Current hours for the food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly are Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. Everyone is allowed to come in and pick out their food, but masks are required.

Winter nature walk Feb. 1 at Oneota Lodge

Clay County Conservation and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invite adults to join them for a winter nature walk on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 5-6 p.m. Participants should meet at Oneota Lodge.

The short winter hike will feature scenic views, hot beverages and snacks, and snowshoes, if the weather merits them.

“Come join us for an hour and enjoy the beauty of Clay County in the winter,” said Adult Program Coordinator Sarah Dirks. “Bree Blom from Clay County Conservation will be guiding us on a fun nature walk.”

Dirks said that participants are encouraged to invite a friend and dress for the weather.

The event is free to participate in, but an RSVP is requested to plan for supplies. Call (712) 262-2264 to RSVP.

H-M-S menus

Thursday, Jan. 12: Breakfast – Waffles, sausage (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Spaghetti, breadstick, carrots/celery, green beans, mixed fruit.

Friday, Jan. 13: Breakfast – Donut, fruit, juice; Lunch – Hot ham and cheese, baked beans, cucumbers, chips (9-12), oranges.

Monday, Jan. 16: Breakfast – Cereal, pop tart (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, apples, roll (9-12).

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Breakfast – Cinnamon roll, cereal (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Hamburger on bun, smiley fries, green beans, pears.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: Breakfast – Breakfast pizza, fruit, juice; Lunch – Fiestada pizza, romaine salad, cherry tomatoes, grapes.

Thursday, Jan. 19: Breakfast – Pancakes and sausage bites, fruit, juice; Lunch – Chicken alfredo, breadstick, broccoli, baby carrots, applesauce cup.

Friday, Jan. 20: Breakfast – Donut, fruit, juice; Lunch – Mr. Rib on bun, baked beans, celery, peaches.

Milk is served with each meal. Fruit/veggie bar offered daily.

Farm couple getaway in Holstein March 3-4

To help farm families build relationships and set family goals, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering two “Farm Couple Getaways.” Both events are aimed at farmers wanting to take advantage of activities to improve farm family communication, work on farm or family goal setting, farm transitions or looking for a weekend away to discuss farm and family issues.

The first getaway will be held Friday, Feb. 10 through Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Dubuque. The second getaway will be held Friday, March 3 through Saturday, March 4 at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Holstein.

The getaways run from 12:30 p.m. on the first day to 3:15 p.m. on the second day. There is no cost to attend the program as food, lodging and other expenses are covered by sponsorships. However, there is a $50 per couple deposit to hold each reservation, refundable on the second day of the event.

Past getaways have proven to be beneficial for farm families.

“They are a very productive and delightful time to discuss items of importance to help farms and families be successful,” said Extension Dairy Specialist Larry Tranel.

Each getaway will consist of 10 farm couples and the Extension facilitators.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations are due two weeks prior to each session. Dairy specialist Fred Hall is taking registrations at (712) 737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu.

Soil health, profitability seminar Jan. 27

A soil health and profitability seminar will be hosted from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Maser Monarch Lodge located at the Dickinson County Nature Center. The program and complimentary lunch are free of charge and open to any interested party.

The seminar will feature Dean Sponheim, of Nora Springs, who is an accidental conservationist and farmer.

Sponheim is a fourth-generation farmer who is committed to practicing and promoting agriculture management practices that improve soil health while also being profitable. He enjoys helping other producers work through challenges when implementing similar changes on their own operations and is active in the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Farm Bureau and Rock Creek Watershed Advisory Board.

Following Sponheim there will also be a local farmer panel discussion about soil health, its importance and ways to make it profitable for the farm.

The program and lunch is free of charge, but preregistrations are appreciated. Preregister online at https://go.iastate.edu/TDQ9WA or call (712) 336-3782, ext. 3.

Leading Communities program begins Jan. 19

Registrations are being accepted for Leading Communities, a six-session program designed to maximize the strengths and skills of current, new and future community leaders in O’Brien County.

Leadership is a critical issue in Iowa communities. Strong leaders provide effective and efficient local government, encourage mutual respect and trust among residents, and promote a great quality of life in their cities and counties.

“When long-time leaders have retired or died, some Iowa communities have struggled to find residents with the skills and willingness to fill vacant leadership positions,” said Jane Nolan Goeken, a community and economic development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The Leading Communities program is an opportunity to provide current, new, and emerging leaders with the tools, skills and confidence to help chart their community’s future.”

Leading Communities sessions are scheduled for 8 a.m.-11 a.m. every Thursday, starting Jan. 19 and continuing Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, with a snow date of March 2. The sessions will be held at venues throughout O’Brien County and breakfast will be provided at the start of each session.

Leading Communities will be taught by Extension community and economic development program specialists. Topics will include identifying local issues and opportunities, visioning, prioritizing issues and working together effectively to mobilize resources that lead to community action.

Newly elected and appointed officials are encouraged to register for the program, as are long-time leaders interested in polishing their skills and local business and community members interested in getting more involved in the community.

The registration fee is $30, and financial assistance is available. Registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 16, or before if the class limit of 25 participants is met.

Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/9NPCEP, or stop into or call the O’Brien County Extension office located at 340 2nd Street SE in Primghar, or (712) 957-5045.

For more information about the program, contact Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or (712) 240-2504, or the O’Brien County Extension office.