Hello Granger | Before You Vote + Construction Updates + Local Events

Hello Granger!

This week, we’ve got what to know before heading to the polls, a closer look at a familiar face—and updates on construction around town. Plus Halloween details and reminder to turn back your clocks!

Have a wonderful week and thank you for being here!

Friday, Oct. 30
A Little Social Costume Party
Granger Community Center | 9 - 10:15 a.m. | $7 per family
Kids can wear their Halloween costumes for free play and a snack while caregivers connect. No registration required. Pay the fee via Venmo at the playdate.

Saturday, Oct. 31
Assumption Trunk & Treat
Assumption Catholic Church | 12–2 p.m.
Stop by Assumption’s parking lot for Trunk & Treat! If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the event will move into the gym.

Granger Trick-or-Treat
Granger | 5-7 p.m.
Since we missed out on the homecoming parade, we all need more candy, right? 🤪 Turn your porch light on to welcome tiny visitors or leave it off if you’re sitting this one out.

Woodward Trick-or -Treat
Woodward | 6-8 p.m.
Little ghosts and goblins will be out filling their candy buckets, so drivers, keep an eye out in the dark. Porch lights on means candy; lights off means try the next house!

Lake Robbins Halloween Party
Lake Robbins Ballroom, 26726 150th St., Woodward | 7-11 p.m. | $10
A Halloween-themed evening of live music and dancing, with costumes and prizes.

⏰ Fall Back
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. Set clocks back one hour before bed!

Sunday, Nov. 1
Celebrate Day of the Dead / Día de Los Muertos
Des Moines Art Center | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Free
Live music, dancing, art activities and a community ofrenda, about a 30-minute drive from Granger. Park at the Art Center or nearby streets, or take the free shuttle from Merrill Middle School (just West of the Art Center) that runs continuously from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Details—click here.

Monday, Nov. 2
Mommy + Me Yoga
Granger Community Center | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Free but register
Caregivers and children are invited to stretch, breathe, and move together in a come-as-you-are environment. 

Library Story Time
Granger Public Library | 11:15-11:45 a.m. | Ages 0-5 | 
Little ones can enjoy stories, songs, snacks and crafts at this weekly library get-together. No registration needed.

Chair Yoga
Granger Community Center | 2-3 p.m. | Adults only
Enjoy gentle stretches, balance and core strength work—all with the support of a chair. It’s hard work but fun! Register before attending. 

Woodward City Council Meeting
Woodward City Hall, 105 E. Second St. | 6 p.m.
Among other items, the council will discuss how to fill a seat left vacant by a recent resignation. Options include appointing a replacement or holding a special election.

Tuesday, Nov. 3
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m.
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience. 

Toddler Open Gym
Moore Sports Plex, 1701 Burr Oak, Granger | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | $5 per child/adults & infants free
Let the little ones burn off some energy and have fun with friends! Check in at the front desk of the Artistic Concrete building.

Election Day
7 a.m - 8 p.m.
Make a plan to vote and check your polling location here.

Wednesday, Nov. 4
Library Story Time
Granger Public Library | 11:15-11:45 a.m. | Ages 0-5 | 
Little ones can enjoy stories, songs, snacks and crafts. No registration needed.

Toddler Tales: Turkeys
Jester Park Nature Center | 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. | Free | Ages 2+
Little ones can get up close with nature during this turkey-themed story time, followed by a surprise activity chosen by a naturalist—maybe an animal encounter, puppets or a craft. No registration needed.

Early Out at Woodward Public Library
Woodward Public Library | 3-4 p.m. | K-12th grade
This week’s theme: Nintendo Switch Sports! No registration needed. 

Thursday, Nov. 5
Toddler Open Gym
Moore Sports Plex, 1701 Burr Oak, Granger | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | $5 per child/adults & infants free
Let the little ones burn off some energy indoors! Check in at the front desk of the Artistic Concrete building.

Senior BINGO
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m.
Join fellow Granger seniors for a friendly game, prizes and a chance to catch up! More than 30 older adults have been joining in. Newcomers are welcome!

Free Play Switch Games
Woodward Public Library | 4 - 6 p.m. | Tweens and Teens
Kids can hang out with friends and play Nintendo Switch games at the library!

Some local kids know Jessica Bilbo as the yoga lady. Others know her as the dance lady. Through her classes at the Granger Library, volunteer yoga sessions at WG schools and coaching the Woodward-Granger dance team, she’s helping people of all ages move, feel comfortable moving and being themselves.

Whatever the class, Jessica wants people to know they can show up as they are. There’s room for laughter, modifications and, when young kids are involved, a little chaos.

“There is absolutely nothing anyone has to prove to me,” she said.

How yoga became a part of her life

Jessica discovered yoga in high school through a book called Happy Yoga. It helped with her anxiety during a busy stretch of academics, dance and daily piano practice. And continued helping through crazy busy college years and beyond. 

After years of practicing, she signed up for yoga teacher training simply to learn more. But the Granger Library had an idea: Would she consider teaching chair yoga once she finished?

She decided to give it a try. Chair yoga offered a way to make movement more accessible, something that resonated with her because her husband, Greg, is paraplegic and has used a wheelchair for more than 20 years.

“I definitely believe everyone should be allowed to modify their practice in any given moment and I’m happy to offer this!” she said.

Kids can be kids

Volunteering to teach yoga to her twins’ grade at the WG ELC sparked another interest. Jessica earned an additional certification and began offering Mommy & Me Yoga at the library. Some days bring music, dancing and running around; others bring quieter moments.

Watching the babies who have attended become preschoolers who can pause for a few mindful breaths is one of her favorite parts of teaching.

Building the WG dance program

Jessica became Woodward-Granger’s high school dance team coach in spring 2025. Her first priority was making sure the dancers knew they mattered and had someone in their corner. “These girls are just fantastic humans,” she said.

This season, four of the team’s seven dancers competed at State Solo Qualifiers. Three received Division I ratings, and one earned WG’s highest solo score in at least eight years!

Also, all three youth clinics held during her time as coach have sold out. She credits hardworking dancers, helpful parents and a community willing to contribute time and resources. 

“I know I have a true village here,” she said, “and I’m a part of many other villages and that just feels good.”

Thanks for bringing so much to our community Jessica! 💚 💛

👉 Follow Jessica Bilbo Yoga on Facebook, or @jessicabilboyoga on Instagram.
👉 You can also follow Woodward Granger Dance Team on Facebook and @woodward_granger_dance_team on Instagram.

• Be ready to vote: Same town, different ballots 🗳️
Voting is a little different here since Granger includes both Dallas and Polk counties. If you’re in Woodward, add Boone County too! It’s a little crazy to think we can live in the same small town but vote in different places and for different things, right?

So before heading out Tuesday, Nov. 3, click here to check your polling place and precinct using your address.

And, take a look at your sample ballot by clicking on your county below:

🔔 Iowa polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Set a reminder NOW—don’t forget to vote!

🇺🇸 Not registered? You can still register and vote on Election Day in Iowa with acceptable proof of identity and current residence. See the requirements here.

• Making Progress Around Town 🛠️

After weeks of rain and stop-and-go work, construction projects around Granger are picking up again. Crews are making the most of drier days to move things along before freezing temperatures arrive and work slows down for winter.

⬇️ Janning Family Chiropractic on State Street is getting an exciting exterior refresh! New windows, door, roof, siding—this transformation is going to be a big one when it’s all done!

⬇️ Rueter Development, just west of Granger’s new water tower, is moving forward with dirt work underway and construction equipment on site. Plans include new roads, infrastructure and Prairie Lofts, a planned 42-unit apartment building.

⬇️ Beaver Creek Estates, near NW 102nd Avenue and Highway 141 in southeast Granger, is a little hard to see from the road, but a peek through the clearing reveals plenty of mud and construction underway.

📌 Community Board

🦃 Turkey Giveaway: Friends of the Granger Library and the library are giving away 15 turkeys to Granger residents! To enter, fill out an entry form at the library and place it in the drawing box Nov. 2–13. Winners will be drawn and contacted Nov. 14.

📅 Reminder: Sign up for Woodward-Granger parent-teacher conferences!
Choose your time here before the time that works best for you fills up. Students have early dismissals Nov. 9–12 and no school Friday, Nov. 13.

🦅 WG Gear Donations Needed
Gently used Woodward-Granger clothing is still needed, especially sizes small–large! Donated gear will be shared with families soon. Drop off donations at Granger Emmanuel United Methodist Church or Woodward United Methodist Church. Questions? Contact Brenda Talbert.

🥫 Local food donations are appreciated!
Drop off nonperishable food at Assumption Catholic Church’s outdoor food cupboard (1906 Sycamore St.) or protein donations at the Granger and Woodward public libraries’ community refrigerators. The sites have been busy lately!

🚘 Volunteer Drivers Needed
Volunteer Community Services of Woodward & Granger (VCSWG) is looking for volunteer drivers to help local residents get to appointments, pick up groceries, and run errands—helping neighbors stay independent. Students, this is also a great opportunity to earn Silver Cord hours.For more information, call 515-978-8114 or visit vcswg.org.

❓Do you have a volunteer opportunity, job posting or another local announcement you’d like included here? Reply to this email and let me know.