Shenandoah observes Everly Brothers Family Heritage Day commemorating Everly Brothers History in Shenandoah Thursday June 20th with new t-shirts, a movie showing, and of couarse music.

      “Harmonies from Heaven” documentary movie will be shown at 3:30pm at the Public Library & later at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home 800 W. Sheridan Avenue.    The documentary tells the story of Phil and Don Everly, focusing on the heyday of their careers in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Featuring archival interviews with Don and Phil, the film follows their career from child performers on their father’s radio shows on KMA and KFNF in Shenandoah, through their move to Nashville and their recording decades.

     Enjoy a Free outdoor concert at 6pm by Touch of Grey band at Depot Deli 101 Railroad St. Touch of Grey is a band from the Omaha-area that blends classic rock with Grateful Dead songs. They will also perform their brand of Everly hits.  Over the past 3-4 years the band has had 100 performances in various towns in Iowa and Nebraska.  

     Members of the band are Matt Wilber of Carson, Ia. on lead vocals and John Scherle of Henderson, Ia. on guitar and vocals. John is a member of the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. DaVal Johnson performs on keyboards and vocals for the band and is originally from Council Bluffs. Sandy Steckman from Omaha supplies bass guitar and vocals. Josh Mason also of Omaha is on drums and vocals. 

     A new Everly Brothers Family t-shirt design is being offered for $20 at the concert or online at www.sciaiowa.com. The shirt is a tribute to these rock n’ roll pioneers that got their start in Shenandoah. It features a family publicity photo from their radio days at KMA and KFNF. They are dressed in their cowboy attire, the uniform of that time for performances.

     Don and Phil spent their formative years in Shenandoah and learned the value of hard work, performing, and musicianship that was an integral part to their success. Shenandoah was home to Ike and Margret Everly and their boys Don and Phil from 1945 to 1953. They sang and played guitar on live radio for Earl May on KMA and Henry Field on KFNF.

     In 1945 the Everly family moved to Shenandoah to accept a job at KMA radio station to perform live. From these humble beginnings in Shenandoah the Everly Brothers rose to world fame. Their father Ike instilled in his sons his love for music.  At the ages of 8 and 6, sons Don and Phil began to perform on their parents live on the Shenandoah radio shows. On weekends the family sang together traveling the area as the Everly Family.

     They stayed in Shenandoah until early high school. The family moved to Tennessee in 1953 and transitioned into a duo act. After decades of success in 1986 The Everly Brothers were among the first ten artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same year they returned to their boyhood home Shenandoah and played to a crowd of 8,500 in a homecoming concert with parade, street dedication, and class reunion.

     You can learn more about the Everly’s history by visiting the preserved childhood home and Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum at 800 W. Sheridan Avenue. The museum will hold a 20^th Anniversary open house on Saturday June 22^nd 1- 4 p.m.

      The Mission of Shenandoah Everly Brothers Foundation is to honor and remember the Everly Brothers, preserving their Shenandoah history and keeping their music alive with events and concerts held annually.

     Don and Phil also established an Everly Family Scholarship in Shenandoah in 1986 with the proceeds from their Shenandoah Homecoming concert. Beginning with $25,000 from the Shenandoah concert and several other Iowa performances, it has been helping students in Shenandoah ever since.  They wanted to help Shenandoah kids with interest and dreams but need a little financial help to get there. Tens of thousands have been gifted to 6^th, 7^th, & 8th graders to help with music instrument rental and other music equipment, athletic equipment or fees, vocal and band fees, art or drama camps, private music or vocal lessons, academic tutoring, and more. Parents can learn more by contacting Bill Hillman, President of the Shenandoah Everly Brothers Foundation.

     For more information about Everly Brothers Family Heritage Day activities contact Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association at 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com, www.sciaiowa.com.

North Star Housing LLC & Excel Development Group invites everyone to the June 12 Open House and Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Ribbon Cutting at Shenandoah Senior Villas Apartments 11:30 am, 1401 W Sheridan Avenue. Help us celebrate Shenandoah's new senior housing property. Tour the facility and enjoy refreshments and Snacks Served.

      Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association (SCIA) along with Nishna Productions, Inc. and the Depot Restaurant are organizing the 9^th annual Disability Awareness Walk in Shenandoah June 1^st. This year the route is on Shenandoah’s downtown street scape and around Priest Park.

     Participants are encouraged to register with a signed waiver. Entry forms are available at SCIA, NPI, and the Depot Restaurant. NPI is celebrating 50 years in business this year. Other sponsors for the event are The Fuller Center, El Porton Mexican Grill, and Subway. More sponsors are welcome to contribute. Contact SCIA to contribute monetary donations or in-kind contributions. Items needed are bottled water, hot dogs, buns, chips, cookies, and inexpensive items or gift cards for the door prize drawings.

      The free walk starting at 11 a.m. is for all ages and all abilities and is open to the public. This regional event begins at the Depot Deli 101 Railroad St. Walkers will travel east on Sheridan Avenue downtown street scape to Sycamore St. and head back west on the southside of Sheridan Avenue to Blossom St. heading south behind the Public Library to 5^th Avenue and south again on Elm St. to Priest Park. Gatorade and water will be available at the park. The walkers will travel around the park and head back north on Maple St. to complete the one-mile course back on Sheridan Ave. at the Depot Deli finish.

     The route can accommodate wheelchairs and a golf cart will be available to assist walkers. Volunteers will be needed for walker assistance and to act as crossing guards. Reflective vests will be provided for street crossing guards. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up and cleanup, pass out beverages at the half-way point and medallions at the finishing line.

     “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,” said NPI Development Specialist Emily Martin.

     The first 50 participants with disabilities to finish the 1-mile walk/ride will receive an event medallion. The after party under the big yellow tent at the Depot will feature a free hot dog lunch, root beer floats donated by the Depot, and music by the band B Side 3. There will be a drawing for door prizes from area businesses.

     B Side 3 band is an acoustic band that plays for the enjoyment of performing live.  They are made of local performers Eric Nelson on guitars, lead, and harmony vocals,

Greg Brower on Keyboards, lead, and harmony; and Phillip Lamb on base guitar and vocals. They also perform many song requests.

     “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 to get outside to enjoy nature, interaction with friends, music, and exercise.”

     All volunteers and sponsors should contact SCIA to sign-up volunteer 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com. The registration form can also be viewed at the website www.sciaiowa.com or Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page.

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

Attention Shenandoah Businesses and Organizations! Be part of the new 2024 Shenandoah Community Guidebook which will be published this summer in print and online at www.sciaiowa.com. Contact Jennifer at 402-378-0821, Jennifer.johnson@clarindaherald.com to place an ad. Please review the previous edition business directory in the book. Send any updates or changes to your entry to chamber@sciaiowa.com or call 712-246-3455. Only SCIA members are listed in the business directory. New members or returning members after an absence of 3 years receive 25% membership dues this year. If you need a copy of the last book contact SCIA.