· 11th Annual Race, locally-organized by Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, City of Imogene and Sons & Daughters of Imogene

· Electronic Chip Timing, USATF Certified, Boston Qualifier

· The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a mostly flat, tree-lined converted railroad line crossing through scenic Iowa countryside with a crushed limestone surfacing

· Out & back races begin and end in Shenandoah for both the Marathon and Marathon Relay. Point-to-point Half Marathon begins in Imogene and finishes in Shenandoah

· Relay team divisions: Co-ed, Female, and Male

· 7:30 am start for Marathon & Relay in downtown Shenandoah; 8:00 am start for Half Half at Imogene’s St. Patrick Church

· 6 Hour time limit, finish line closes at 1:30

· Unique & fun water stations every 2 miles, first aid & emergency service on the trail

· Sign-up available for morning-of bus

   transportation from Shenandoah to Half

   Marathon start in Imogene. Bus will return

   drop bags to Depot for pick-up at end of race.

· Early packet & t-shirt pickup in Shenandoah (100 S. Maple St.) Friday, Sept. 9, 4-7 p.m. or at each start the morning of

· Showers near finish line (423 W. Thomas Ave.)

· Medals, snacks & beverages at the finish. Awards presented at Depot Restaurant with free beer!

·  Race results & photos at www.onlineraceresults.com

Register online www.GetMeRegistered.com or Print entry form at www.SCIAIowa.com

June 1^st 10 a.m. SCIA Coffee at Veterans Memorial Museum, 603 W. Lowell Ave. See the newly remodeled large meeting room for rent with Kitchen, call 246-8057. New home of the 1941 WWII Co. E sendoff banner donated by Helen Castle and Military Wabash Arts Camp Murals, tour the museum and enjoy coffee and a snack.

Wed. May 25^th, 10 a.m. SCIA Ribbon Cutting Coffee at Homestead of Shenandoah, Assisted Living & Memory Care, 601 Harrison St. (formerly Windsor Manor) Coffee and snacks served.

April 18-23rd is ISU Extension and Outreach Week. They will highlight Human Sciences and the Growing Strong Families program.

Free will donation, Oliver is a veteran entertainer from Branson and America’s Got Talent.

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 Community Scholarship tab through March 9^th.

     This year the SCIA Ag Committee hopes to award up to two scholarships. AFA matches community funds, now being raised by the SCIA Ag Committee, to offer $4,600 in each scholarship, including $3,000 academic scholarship and $1,600 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 their interest in an agricultural career. An interview will be conducted soon after March 9th at the SCIA office, 619 W. Sheridan Avenue. Applications must be posted online by March 9th 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 in the spring at American Legion Country Club.  SCIA Ag Committee members are now gathering donations for the Agriculture Future of America scholarship. Agriculture Future of America Foundation matches $2,300 raised locally for each scholarship. Businesses and individuals that wish to contribute should contact SCIA at 246-3455 or drop off a check. Checks should be made to Greater Shenandoah Foundation.

     Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association and businesses are giving shoppers a chance to win prizes large and small and celebrate the Valentine Day holiday early with the Chocolate Walk Thursday February 10^th.

     All day shoppers will not only find winter bargains in stores but can also indulge in all kinds of chocolate at participating businesses. Entry forms for the drawing worth over $1,000 in prize items and gift certificates will be available at those businesses. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association is offering $100, $100, and $300 grand prize in Chamber Bucks. Shoppers must bring entry forms to The Sanctuary Restaurant starting at 5 p.m. to enter.

      The Sanctuary Restaurant is hosting the Chocolate Walk Party with free etched wine glasses (limit of 60 available), wine sampling, and appetizers from 5-7 p.m. Meals will be offered from the regular menu with Chocolate Walk discounts.

      Drawings start at 6:30 p.m. and you must be present to win. Jillian Buzzard, Miss Shenandoah will assist with the drawings. Among the other prizes offered are a stay in a suite at Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel, $50 gift card to Legacy 3 Theatre, Sapphire earrings from Hansen Jewelers, a weekend pet retreat at Healthy Tails Retreat worth $120 and many more items and gift certificates.

     Shop the Shenandoah Chocolate Walk and pickup entry forms in stores starting February 9 for prizes at these SCIA Businesses: Depot Restaurant 101 Railroad Street, Paper Trail 709 W Sheridan Avenue, CBS Hardware 621 W Sheridan Avenue, Hansen Jewelers 603 W Sheridan Avenue, Angel Care Home Health 717 W Sheridan Avenue, Kriegler Office Equipment 706 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Inn & Suites 620 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Floral 514 W Sheridan Avenue, County Line Design 506 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Nutrition 518 S Freemont Street, Heavenly Home Bakery 807 W Summit Avenue (Enter in the alley from Walnut St.),  Hineline Home Furnishings 1215 W Nishna Road, and The Sanctuary Restaurant 207 S Elm Street.

      More prizes provided by SCIA businesses: Hy-Vee, Subway, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Legacy 3 Theatre, Sheri’s Restaurant, Nishna Valley Café, Healthy Tails Retreat, Kat’s Koolerz & Coffee, and EL Porton Mexican Grill.

     “Chocolate Walk is a promotion that Shenandoah SCIA businesses have participated in since 2014. It’s a fun way to celebrate Valentines and an opportunity for businesses to show appreciation to customers for shopping in Shenandoah,” said SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner. “It’s an event that gets people into the businesses to checkout winter sale merchandise and breaks up the long winter days with a fun party with friends.” Contact SCIA for more information or stop by to pickup a list of the participating stores. It will also be posted the Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association facebook and new website www.sciaiowa.com.

* Decorate Cookies

* Mrs. Claus Story Reading

* Christmas Craft

* Selfie Station

* Hot Cocoa

* Write Letters to Santa

Parents encouraged to attend w/ Children

Thanks Sponsors Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Fareway, Shenandoah Medical Center, Shenandoah CSD

Nov. 27 SCIA Shenandoah 150 Christmas Memories at Night the Lights Come On, Lighting Contest & More

Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association sponsors the annual Night the Lights Come On Saturday November 27, 3:00– 5:30 p.m. downtown. This years’ theme marks Shenandoah’s 150^th year “Christmas Memories”.

Santa, sleigh and live reindeer and free carriage rides will be setup at the flatiron area near city hall 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. This year horse-drawn carriage rides are co-sponsored by Great Western Bank. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to help Santa with the lights count down at 5:30 p.m.!

Last year’s home and store window decorating contest was so popular SCIA is repeating it. Homes in the Shenandoah city limits can be nominated on Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page with an address. Like, follow and share the SCIA page to see all the entries. The public can vote on their favorite with likes and shares. Winners will be awarded $150-1st place, $100-2nd place, $50-3rd place in Chamber Gift Certificates. Last years’ winner was Matt and Kelsey Potratz at 708 West St.

The same procedures for nominations and votes apply to the Shenandoah Business Window Decorating Contest. The winner can donate $150 chamber gift certificate prize to their favorite local charity. Last years’ winner was Design Originals and People for Paws. All winners will be announced December 15th.

Mrs. Claus hosts a free Kids Christmas movie sponsored by SCIA and free snacks sponsored by the Fuller Center for Housing December 4, 10 a.m. at Legacy 3 Theatre. The movie shown in all three theatres will be the 2018 animated “Grinch” movie. Parents can join their small children at the theatre or drop off older children and shop Shenandoah for Christmas gifts.

Later in December keeping with tradition, kids can visit Santa at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home, 800 W. Sheridan Avenue, December Saturdays 2-4 p.m. with treats and gifts for the kids! Families can make Christmas Memories at a Cookies & Cocoa event at Shenandoah K-8 School commons December 18, 10 a.m. Kids can decorate cookies donated by Shenandoah Medical Center and Fareway. Their will also be other activity stations including stories read by Mrs. Claus.

SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner encourages everyone to, “See Shenandoah’s Beautiful Downtown Christmas lights and shop and dine local. There is no supply shortage when you shop local brick and mortar businesses. A gift in hand will not disappoint, compared to a gift ordered online that never comes. Enjoy a wide selection of in-store on hand gifts and merchandise and dining experiences at these SCIA businesses, services and restaurants that are sure to make your holidays special.”  

Full SCIA members: Brown’s Shoe Fit,  CBS Hardware & Lumber, Cellular Advantage, Chat Mobility,  Cenex RocStop, County Line Design,  Depot Deli, Doug Meyer Chevrolet, Earl May Garden Center, El Porton Mexican Grill, Eye Care Assoc. of Southwest Iowa,  Fareway,  Hansen Jewelry, Heavenly Home Bakery, Healthy Tails Retreat, Help @ Home, Hineline Home Furnishings, Hy-Vee Food Store,  J.B. Parts & Supply NAPA,  Johnston Communications, Kriegler Office Equipment, Kat’s Koolerz & Coffee,  Lawn World, Legacy 3 Theaters, Little Waite Lanes, McDonald’s, McQueen Carpet Cleaning, Midwest Outlaw Garage, Miller Building,  Mondo’s  Restaurant, Momentum Exterior, Nishna Valley Café, Orscheln Farm & Home, Paper Trail,   Pizza Hut, The Sanctuary, Select Motors, Shenandoah Floral & Baile Market, Shenandoah Fitness Center, Shenandoah Community Golf Course, SCIA Gift Certificates,  Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel,   Shenandoah Nutrition, Sheri’s Restaurant, Sheridan Decorating,  Sorensen Auto Plaza, Sports-Plex,  Subway, Survival Eats, SWIFT Services, Three Kool Kats Photography,  Valley News, Vetter Equipment, Wal-Mart. SCIA Associate members: Armanini Style, Normy’s Barber Shop, Southwest Iowa Theatre Group, Serenity Studio.

Rapp Park Trout Fish Out November 13

     Bring the family and your fishing poles to Rapp Park for a Trout Fish Out event Saturday November 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association is sponsoring the activity in conjunction with Optimal Aquafeed, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Page and Fremont County Conservation.

     Iowa DNR will transport 400-500 1 lb. to 2½ lb. Rainbow Trout from Optimal Aquafeed Aquaculture facility to the east lake at Rapp County Park one and a half miles north of Shenandoah on Highway 48.

     A valid Iowa fishing license with Trout Stamp is required to participate. Shenandoah businesses that sell fishing licenses are Orscheln Farm & Home Supply, CBS Hardware, Walmart and they are available at County Court Houses. No license is required for youth under 16 years old when accompanied by a fully licensed adult. There will be a limit of five Trout per day per stamp including youth and a 10 Trout possession limit over the two-day weekend.

     SCIA will conduct a raffle for kids participating to win fishing gear and chamber bucks. Registration will be under the park shelter. Contact SCIA for more information, 712-246-3455 or chamber@sciaiowa.com.

Wear a costum for TRICK OR TREATING DOWNTOWN Thursday October 28, 4:30 p.m. start at First National Bank. Visit store fronts on Sheridan Ave. for treats and hot dogs to take home near city hall. Sponsored by First National Bank, Fareway, & Shenandoah Family Dentistry. Treat bags provided.