· 12th Annual Race, 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 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 at Imogene’s St. Patrick Church

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

· New policy for

 hazardous weather to post pone race start when

 possible, 10% discount in place at GetMeRegistered.com

 for runners in the canceled 2022 marathon with

 verification code from 2022

· 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. 8, 4-7 p.m. or at each start the

 morning of races

· 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

May 6^th Shenandoah Disability Awareness Walk “A Bridge to Understanding” Seeks Sponsors, Walkers, & Volunteers

      Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association (SCIA) along with Nishna Productions, Inc. (NPI) and the Depot Restaurant are restarting the Shenandoah Disability Awareness Walk “A Bridge to Understanding” May 6 on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. Participants are encouraged to register with a signed waiver. Entry forms are available at SCIA, NPI, and the Depot Restaurant.

      The walk, which will start at 1 p.m., is for all ages and all abilities. This free regional event begins at the Sportsman’s Park Wabash Depot next to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.  Walkers will travel approximately a mile to the big bridge over the Nishnabotna River and back. Gatorade and water will be available at the bridge. The trail can accommodate wheelchairs and a few golf carts will be available for assistance.

     The first 150 participants to finish the 2-mile walk/ride will receive a Bridge to Understanding medallion. Participants are also encouraged to wear their “Bridge to Understanding” t-shirts from previous years.

     The after-party will be at the Depot Restaurant,101 Railroad St., beginning at approximately 2 p.m. and features hot dogs, chips, cookies, and Depot brewed root beer floats, as well as live music under the big tent. Door prizes will be drawn from participant entry forms. Union County Strings band will perform a free concert.    

     There are many opportunities for volunteers to participate in this event. Ideally, volunteers may be partnered one-on-one with an individual with disabilities to walk on the trail. “This is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to interact and engage in a fun way with individuals with disabilities. The hope is to build foundations for friendships and to truly create ‘a bridge to understanding,” said NPI Development Specialist Emily Martin.

     Volunteers are needed to pass out beverages at the half-way point and medallions at the finishing line and to assist with setup/cleanup. At the after-party, volunteers may assist with the food line and root beer floats. Golf carts and drivers are also needed. Contact SCIA to sign-up to volunteer 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com.

     Sponsors are needed to help with costs. Door prizes or monetary donations would be appreciated. So far contributors are SCIA, NPI, Depot Deli, Fareway, and HyVee. Contact SCIA at 712-246-3455 or chamber@sciaiowa.com if your organization or business can help.

     “Everyone from the surrounding area is welcome to participate in this special event,” said SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner. “It’s a fun, rewarding afternoon of interaction, music, and exercise on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.”

Grand Opening Celebration March 29, 8:30 a.m. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Ribbon Cutting. Followed by Open House 9 a.m. to 5.pm. at Community 1st Credit Union, 603 S Fremont St. Refreshments served and giveaways.

     Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association hosts State Legislative Briefings each year for constituents to meet with legislators. This year Shenandoah is represented by two new legislators partly due to new districting boundaries. Senator Tom Shipley, district 11, and Representative Tom Moore, district 2, will now represent Shenandoah in the Iowa State Legislature. Saturday January 28th, 8 a.m. at the Shenandoah Safety Center Bricker Community Room, 400 W. Sheridan Avenue is the first Legislative Briefing of the 2023 session.

     This is the first of the series of three question and answer sessions with state legislators. Other dates are February 25 and March 25, each beginning at 8 a.m. This is an opportunity for legislators to brief the public on what is happening in the Iowa Legislature, answer questions, and hear concerns. Pastries and coffee will be served at each session.

Grand Opening Saturday March 25, Noon SCIA Ribbon Cutting at Mort’s Gun Shop, 1313 W. Thomas Ave., new owners Zach & Kelly James. Refeshments and food vendors, prize drawings and more till 5 p.m.

Apply By March 9 Online for SCIA Agriculture Future of America Scholarships

      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, 2023.

     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 $4,450 in each scholarship, including $3,200 academic scholarship and $1,250 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. SCIA Ag Committee members are now gathering donations for the Agriculture Future of America scholarship. Agriculture Future of America Foundation provides $2,000 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.

March 5, 2 p.m. Pearl Harbor Dec. 7^th, 1941 presentation by Jeff Subko, Community Room Veterans Memorial Museum. Open to all, refreshments will be served after program.

More Sweets, More Prizes in 2023 Shenandoah Chocolate Walk February 9  

     Celebrate the Valentine Day holiday with the Shenandoah Chocolate Walk Thursday February 9^th. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association businesses are giving shoppers an opportunity to indulge in chocolate treats and win prizes.

     All day shoppers will not only find winter bargains in stores but can also enjoy all kinds of chocolate at participating businesses. Shoppers will pick-up entry forms in stores for the drawing of over 40 prizes including items and gift certificates. More entry forms will be given with purchases. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association is offering $25, $50, $75, and $100 in Chamber Gift Certificates. Among the other prizes offered are a stay in a suite at Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel. Shoppers must bring entry forms to The Sanctuary Restaurant starting at 5 p.m. to enter and must be present to win. Drawings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

      The Sanctuary Restaurant at 207 S Elm St. is hosting the Chocolate Walk Party with free appetizers, Chocolate Walk logo mugs (100 available), and wine sampling from 5-7 p.m. Meals will be offered from the regular menu. Several Valentine design t-shirts can be purchased at County Line Design, 506 W Sheridan Avenue.

     Shop the Chocolate Walk, sample chocolate, and pickup entry forms in stores February 9 at these SCIA Businesses: Depot Restaurant 101 Railroad Street, Paper Trail 709 W Sheridan Avenue, Hansen Jewelers 603 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,  Hineline Home Furnishings 1215 W Nishna Road, and The Sanctuary Restaurant 207 S Elm Street, 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, Sheridan Decorating 1204 W Sheridan Avenue.

      More prizes provided by SCIA businesses: Hy-Vee, Subway, Legacy 3 Theatre, Scooters Coffee, Sheri’s Restaurant, Nishna Valley Café, Healthy Tails Retreat, Pizza Hut, Orscheln Farm & Home Supply, Earl May Garden Center, Fareway, El Porton Mexican Grill, and SCIA.

     “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 the SCIA office at 619 W Sheridan Avenue to pick-up a list of the participating stores. It will also be posted the Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association facebook and website www.sciaiowa.com.

Free Kids Movie—Legacy 3 Theater 10 a.m. December 3. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Space limited to 140. Small popcorn & pop free for kids. Sponsored by Legacy 3 & SCIA. See “Polar Express” Movie.

Live Reindeer & Santa featured Nov. 26 for Shenandoah Christmas Jingle Jam Night the Lights Come On

Live reindeer, Santa and Mrs.  Claus are the main attraction at the annual Night the Lights Come On Saturday November 26 downtown. Christmas Jingle Jam is the theme for this year’s event organized by Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association. The activities are free to all and sponsored by SCIA, Community 1^st Credit Union, Wilson Insurance and Legacy 3 Theater.

Jingle Jam Christmas music and hot chocolate served by the Shenandoah Forum organization will add to the festivities. From 3 to 5 p.m. children will have the opportunity to sit with Santa in his sleigh for photos next to the flatiron clock. Children can see the live reindeer and touch fur and antlers in a display. Mrs. Clause and Miss Shenandoah Carys Woolsey will pass out jingle necklaces to help ring in the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will count down to the downtown lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Stores will be open for Christmas shopping and many downtown small businesses are accepting SCIA Sno-dough payments which enable shoppers to save money and signup for a $500 drawing awarded in January.

Shenandoah Veterans Memorial Museum at 603 W Lowell Avenue will host a fundraising Soup & Pie Supper in their large meeting room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. They are partnering with the VFW for the supper and will accept free will donations. The museum will be open for tours also.

Mrs. Claus hosts a free Kids Christmas movie with free popcorn and pop for children Saturday December 3, 10 a.m. at Legacy 3 Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The movie shown in all three theatres will be Polar Express. Seating is limited to 140 seats. Parents can join their small children at the theatre or drop off older children and shop Shenandoah for Christmas gifts.

December 3, 10, and 17^th kids can visit Santa at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home, 800 W. Sheridan Avenue, 2-4 p.m. He will have treats and gifts for the kids. Parents are welcome to take photos.

SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner encourages everyone to, “See Shenandoah’s beautiful downtown Christmas lights and shop small, shop local. Christmas is an important time for the viability of small businesses and restaurants. Shenandoah is fortunate to have such a retail variety to choose from,” Warner said. “Shenandoah’s lighting is unique. Each year our downtown trees grow suspending the icicle lights higher and higher. The city goes to great effort to continue to create this magical Christmas atmosphere downtown on Sheridan Avenue.”

SCIA is partnering with Forum to Revitalize Shenandoah for a children’s event December 17 “A Day at the North Pole” in the Historical Society Building, 100 S. Maple St. The event will include breakfast with Mrs. Claus 9- 10 a.m. with stories and crafts followed by Santa’s workshop shopping for kids to purchase gifts for Mom and Dad till 1 p.m. Donations of items or dollars for the merchandise are being accepted at Sorensen Auto Plaza. There will be a festive atmosphere and elves and Santa on hand to assist. Reservations are required for breakfast and space is limited to 50 kids. Call SCIA to reserve a spot 712-246-3455. More information for all the Christmas activities at www.sciaiowa.com.

Sno-Dough is back in Shenandoah for the holidays.  Don’t miss the

Sno-Dough Sale, November 12^th at 8 a.m.   Buy packets of $100

Sno-Dough for only $80 to spend at Shenandoah Businesses! It’s like

getting free $20 bills. Shop Small Businesses with Sno-dough and enter a

$500 drawing. Quantities are limited so hurry to the chamber on

Sheridan Avenue Nov. 12th to save through Dec. 31^st. Cash sales only.

Shop local and Save big with Sno-dough in Shenandoah.

Sno-Dough is back in Shenandoah for the holidays.  Don’t miss the

Sno-Dough Sale, November 12^th at 8 a.m.   Buy packets of $100

Sno-Dough for only $80 to spend at Shenandoah Businesses! It’s like

getting free $20 bills. Shop Small Businesses with Sno-dough and enter a

$500 drawing. Quantities are limited so hurry to the chamber on

Sheridan Avenue Nov. 12th to save through Dec. 31^st. Cash sales only.

Shop local and Save big with Sno-dough in Shenandoah.

Earl May Garden Center SCIA Coffee. Meet the new store manager and the company CEO. Enjoy Coffee and a snack. See you at the store 301 S. Fremont St. (Everly Brothers Avenue).

We need a little Christmas right this very minute! Shop Shenandoah’s Holiday

open house event in stores November 4^th & 5^th. Enjoy treats and get a head start

on decorating and shopping at Shenandoah Floral, County Line Design,

Hansen Jewelers, Browns Shoe Fit, Paper Trail, Sheridan Decorating, Earl May

Garden Center, Hineline Home Furnishings and Shenandoah Medical Center Gift

Shop. A very Merry Christmas Open House in Shenandoah Friday & Saturday!

MOONLIGHT MAGIC TRICK OR TREATING DOWNTOWN

 Wed. October 26, 4:30 p.m. start at First National Bank with hot dogs at city hall Gazebo. Sponsored by First National Bank, Fareway, & Shenandoah Family Dentistry. Come in Costume!