April 19^th, 1:30 p.m. 99^th American Legion Easter Egg Hunt at Sportsman’s Park. They will be assisted by the Elks orgnization members.

SCIA Donut Stop Ribbon Cutting Grand Opening

GOT SORE MUSCLES? You are too late! Paula Hayes, massuise, is Retiring in April. Patti Gee, owner, is Retiring in June from Serenity Studio Floral & Spa 110 S. Elm St. Shenandoah. Come greet and thank them for serving Southwest Iowa for over 30 years Thursday March 27,  5-7 pm. Open House w/drinks & appetizers

      Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association Ag Committee and Agriculture Future of America join forces each year to support an agricultural scholarship program. Applications are now being accepted online at the website www.agfuture.org under the Scholarship tab through March 6, 2025.

     This year the SCIA Ag Committee will award up to two scholarships. AFA matches community funds, now being raised by the SCIA Ag Committee, to offer $4,675 in each scholarship, including $3,200 academic scholarship and the remainder is to cover the AFA Leaders Conference expenses in Kansas City the following November.

     Qualified applicants are Shenandoah, Sidney or Essex high school seniors who will pursue a degree in agriculture or any related field at an accredited college or university. Many majors qualify if they will be applied to the agriculture industry, such as…business, chemistry, horticulture, animal science, education, computer science etc.

    The application process also includes an essay sharing the applicant’s personal vision for agriculture and why they are interested in an agricultural career. An interview will be conducted soon after March 6th at the SCIA office, 619 W. Sheridan Avenue. Applications must be posted online by March 6th so they can set up interview times. The link to the application is http://www.agfuture.org then click on the community partner scholarship.

    The goal of the AFA Scholarship is to identify students with strong potential. Students are also scored on community service and citizenship, activities, work experience, family need, references, grade point (3.0 and above) and student rank. The Essay has the greatest weight in scoring applicants.

    The Scholarship winners will be announced at the SCIA Annual Meeting and Ag Banquet to be held later this summer. SCIA Ag Committee members are now gathering donations for the Agriculture Future of America scholarship. Agriculture Future of America Foundation provides $2,225 to match $2,450 raised locally for each scholarship. Businesses and individuals that wish to contribute should contact SCIA at 246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com or drop off a check. Checks should be made to Greater Shenandoah Foundation.

12^th Annual Shenandoah Chocolate Walk February 7th & 8th  

     Shenandoah kicks off the Valentine Day holiday with a two-day Chocolate Walk Friday February 7^th and Saturday February 8^th. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association businesses are giving shoppers an opportunity to indulge in chocolate treats and win over 40 prizes. The 12^th annual event includes a drawing party on February 8^th at the Depot Restaurant and free handmade chocolate bars by the Sugar Makery.

     Shoppers can sample chocolate of all sorts in stores as they shop for Valentines gifts both days. It’s an ideal time to shop for valentine gifts, order flowers for your sweetheart or make dinner reservations at restaurants. Shoppers will pick up entry forms in participating businesses for the drawing and bring entries to the drawing party at The Depot 101 Railroad Street 4-6pm. Free appetizers and wine tasting will be available. Drawings for prizes will begin at 5p.m. Customers must be present to win.

    Drawing prizes include eight $25 SCIA Chamber Gift Certificates, a stay at Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel in the whirlpool suite with gift basket, movie passes to Legacy 3 Theater, many other items and businesses gift certificates. Over 30 prizes will be awarded to those who bring in entry forms from businesses.

  Shop the Chocolate Walk during regular business hours, sample chocolate and pickup entry forms at these SCIA Businesses: Depot Restaurant 101 Railroad Street, Paper Trail 709 W Sheridan Avenue, Angel Care Home Health 717 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel 620 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Floral 514 W Sheridan Avenue, County Line Design 506 W Sheridan Avenue, Serenity Studio Flowers & Spa 110 S Elm Street, Brown’s Shoe Fit Store 611 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Medical Center Gift Shop 300 Pershing Avenue, US Cellular Advantage 104 S Fremont Steet, Farmer’s Daughters Flowers & Vintage 720 W Sheridan Avenue, Sugar Makery 708 S Fremont Street, Legacy 3 Theater 712 W Sheridan Avenue.

       Prizes are provided by Chocolate Walk stops and these additional SCIA businesses: City Fitness Center, Legacy 3 Theatre, Fareway, El Porton Mexican Grill, Once Again, The Sanctuary Restaurant, Walmart, and more.

     Valentine themed t-shirts can be purchased at County Line Design 506 W Sheridan Avenue. The Mill at 818 W Sheridan Avenue is hosting Valentine vendors February 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact SCIA for more information or stop by the SCIA office at 619 W Sheridan Avenue to pick-up a list of the participating stores and prizes or see the Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page and website www.sciaiowa.com.

Christmas Together in Shenandoah Nov. 30^th Night the Lights Come On & More Dec. Activities

     Christmas Together in Shenandoah Saturday November 30th features the downtown Night the Lights Come On with live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, music, and hot Cocoa by Hy-Vee 3-5pm near city hall. The event is sponsored by Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Fuller Center, Invenergy, and Community 1st Credit Union. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos and the lights-on countdown is at 5:30pm.

     Shop small business Saturday along Sheridan Avenue till 6pm. You’ll find ornament making activities at County Line Design, smores by the Forum under the gold dome and more treats by Walmart downtown. Pickup a Shenandoah Holiday Shopping and Dinning Guide in stores and restaurants. SCIA is searching for a few carolers to add to the festivities. Call 712-246-3455 if you can offer your choir or voice.

     Soup and Pie Supper Fundraiser follows at Veteran Memorial Museum 603 W. Lowell Avenue 5:30 – 7pm. Donations will be accepted. Five types of soup and many varieties of pie will be available. The Museum displays will also be open for viewing.

     Visit Santa Claus December Saturdays at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home, 800 W Sheridan Avenue 2-4 p.m. Santa will have gifts for the kids and photos are welcome. Dates are December 7, 14, and 21. Santa is seeking a few elves from the community to assist him each Saturday. Contact SCIA to volunteer 712-246-3455.

     Breakfast with Mrs. Claus is December 7^th will run 9:30–11a.m. at the Delmonico Room of the Historical Museum building 100 S. Maple St. The kids’ event will include breakfast, stories, crafts, cookie decorating, and games. Space is limited to 50 children. Make Reservations by December 3^rd by calling Shenandoah Chamber at 712-246-3455 or email chamber@sciaiowa.com. Volunteers are needed. Parents may attend with their children, but no breakfast will be provided for the parents.

A free Kids movie December 21st will be hosted by Legacy 3 Theater at 10 a.m. Kids and parents can see the movie “Wonka” for free thanks to Legacy 3 Theaters. The movie will be shown in all three theaters. Doors open at 9am. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet moviegoers.  SCIA will provide a small popcorn and pop to kids free of charge.

     Visit to Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association website for details at www.SCIAIOWA.com and Facebook page. Celebrate Christmas Together in Shenandoah.

Thursday, December 5th Southwest Iowa Nature Trails will have a public information meeting to launch the Rapp Park Connector Trail to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.  The meeting is open to everyone and will be held at 6 PM at the Shenandoah Public Library Auditorium.

The 2024 Shenandoah Garden City Farmers Market open earlier in the season with extended hours in Priest Park, 707 7^th Avenue. May 22 is opening day with new Wednesday hours 2- 5:30 p.m. through October 30.

     The Market is open each Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning 9 a.m. to noon with parking available. Shenandoah Farmers Market is a state certified market which allows vendors to accept WIC coupons. With the extended days and hours, it gives vendors more opportunities to sell products and customers nearly a month more to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and plants.

     It is free for vendors to sell at the market in Priest Park, but they must register and sign the Pesticide Affidavit and Waiver of Responsibility before setting up and selling statement ensuring they don’t use pesticides. A copy of the rules for the market and registration forms are available through market manager Mary Lou Woolhoy or at Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association at 619 W Sheridan Avenue.

     Early in the season customers can expect produce like radishes and lettuce, baked goods, Rhubarb, and plant starts. Crafts, baked goods, herbs, honey, Jams and Jellies are always available. In June strawberries, cherries, onions, carrots, and green beans are offered as well as flower bouquets. In July and August tomatoes, sweet corn, and many other vegetables are available. September and October are months for pears, apples, gourds, popcorn, Indian corn, and pumpkins.

     For more information about the Shenandoah Garden City Farmers Market contact market manager Mary Lou Wolhoy at 712-303-0100 and follow the posts on the Facebook page

SCIA business meeting Wed. Oct. 16^th 8 a.m. at 619 W Sheridan Avenue

Plans & Ideas for:

* 2024 Theme Ideas

* Holiday Open House weekend Nov. 7-9^th

* Sno-dough participation, Sale Nov. 16th

* Night the Lights Come On Nov. 30th

* Breakfast with Mrs. Claus Dec. 7th

* Free Holiday Movie “Wonka”, Legacy 3 Dec. 21st

* Dec. Saturdays Santa’s House

FOOD-Fireman’s Pancake Feed Safety Center 7-10am, Farmer’s Market Priest Park 9am-noon, Shenfest Nonprofit Food Court Flatiron Plaza 10am-3pm, with music under the gazebo 11-2pm.

GAMES-SMC Fun Run/Walk 8am Sportsmans Park on Wabash Trace Nature Trace Trail Tennis Tournament Gee Park Tennis Courts Saturday 6pm, Sunday 2pm Finals (TBD)

CAR SHOW/TRACTOR SHOW-9am-1pm Earl May KMA Parking Lot, Elm St. & Lowell Ave., Trophies, food & music at Veterans Museum next door

PARADE-Runs west on Sheridan Avenue from downtown 2pm, lineup noon Clarinda Avenue

MUSIC- following the parade 3:30pm by John Rogers & 7pm with Matt Cox & the Meraders Band at the Depot Restaurant under the tent.

AWARDS- Marching Band Awards at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home on Sheridan Avenue following the parade

More info. at 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com