Hello Granger | Fall Festival Recap + Community News + Events

Good morning Granger!

This week we’re looking back at the first Granger Fall Festival and the Pack the Gym for PURA fundraiser, plus sharing upcoming events and news you won’t want to miss. Here’s the latest!

And hey, if you’re enjoying this newsletter, send it to a friend—or your kid’s friend’s mom or dad. 😊

Friday, Oct. 23
Critter Club
Jester Park Nature Center | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Free, no registration needed
Get an up-close look at the nature center’s resident animals and learn about their role in education. You may even get to touch one! Drop in anytime. All ages welcome.

Fall Ham Ball Supper
Woodward Christian Church, 401 S. Main St., | 5-6:30 p.m. | $8 adults, $4 kids
The menu includes ham balls, cheesy potatoes, seasoned green beans, a roll with butter, dessert and a drink. Dine-in and carryout meals will be available. To arrange carryout pickup, call 515-438-2273.

Bouton Haunted Church
109 South St., Bouton | 7-10 p.m. | $10 per person
Bouton Fire & Rescue’s 5th Annual Haunted Church offers adjustable scares for all ages, just 20 minutes from Granger. Admission supports the fire department, and includes an entry to win a pair of Iowa Wild tickets. The drawing is at 10 p.m.; you don’t need to be present to win.

Saturday, Oct. 24
Woodward Community Food Pantry
Woodward United Methodist Church | 2-4 p.m.
The food pantry welcomes residents of Woodward, Granger and Bouton who could use a little extra help with groceries.

Pumpkin Carving at the Farm
Shryock Family Farms at 1391 334th Rd, Woodward | 3-5 p.m.
Purchase a pumpkin and enjoy free pumpkin carving! Carving tools are provided, and the farm handles the cleanup!

Trunk or Treat
Across from Woodward Fire Department | 5-7 p.m.
Join the fun at Trunk or Treat! There's still room for more trunks, decorating begins at 4 p.m. The fire department will also offer a free-will donation dinner and hayrack rides. Organized by Woodward Friends + Neighbors Day.

Sunday, Oct. 25
CandyPalooza
Stone Bridge Church | 10 a.m. | Free
Kids ages 3 through elementary school can play their way through a life-size Candy Land with games, candy and non-candy prizes! Check in at the church lobby before heading to classes, where kids will be divided into age groups. The event takes place during church while parents can attend the service. Family-friendly costumes are welcome.

Trick or Treat in Treehouse Village
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, Madrid | 1–4 p.m. | Ages 13+: $12; ages 3–12: $7; ages 2 and under: FREE
Wear your costume for trick-or-treat stops along Treehouse Village Trail, fun activities, seasonal snacks and playtime! All activities are included with admission; members get in free, and only 25 minutes away from Granger.

Monday, Oct. 26
WG Volleyball Regional Semifinal
WG High School | 7 p.m.
The Hawks Volleyball team are two wins from state! Cheer on WG volleyball as they host ACGC in the Class 2A regional semifinal. Click here for tickets. A win sends them to the regional final Wednesday, Oct. 28!

Tuesday, Oct. 27
Early Readers Daytime Craft
Woodward Public Library | 10-11 a.m. 
Little ones can stop by to make foam pumpkin sunglasses to take home.

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.

Wednesday, Oct. 28
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.

Early Out at Woodward Public Library
Woodward Public Library | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | K-12th grade
This week it’s time for a spooky movie! No registration needed.

Thursday, Oct. 29
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.

H.Y.P.E. Club: Mario Kart Tournament
Woodward Public Library | 4-5 p.m. | Older Elementary-High School
The H.Y.P.E. Club (Hobbies, Youth Pop-Culture & Entertainment) is a place to hang out after school, try something new and meet others. This week, they’ll have a Mario Kart tournament. No registration needed.

Senior Social Time
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m.
Join other Granger seniors for an afternoon of cards, games, conversation, and connection.

Family Bingo
Granger Public Library | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | All Ages |
Bring the whole family for an hour of fun, games, and prizes. Thanks to the Granger Public Library for hosting this event the last Thursday of every month! If you have any questions, or trouble registering, please call 999-2088.

Ever watched Gilmore Girls and rolled your eyes at the cutesy festivals in Stars Hollow, thinking those didn’t exist in real life? Well, I’ll roll my eyes no more after being part of the Granger Fall Festival. 🎃 With sweet little kids fishing, and smiling families making memories—I think even Lorelai Gilmore would’ve put down her coffee for this one.

“It was a lot of work, but I think we accomplished our goal of showcasing the Granger community and what it has to offer,” said Liz Reischauer, Granger Fall Festival Committee Chair. “We have a lot of young families looking for things to do with their kids, and we were happy to provide that.”

Having so many local businesses jump in and get involved was another highlight. The hope was that the festival would help neighbors and businesses connect and support each other.

Liz also thanked the community members and high school students who volunteered. Putting on the festival was a big job, and it wouldn’t have been possible without so many helping hands. And thanks to Mayor Clint Davis for growing the pumpkins that started it all.

With the first festival in the books, planning is underway for next year, with changes and additions in mind. No date is set yet—it’ll be planned around the Iowa State and University of Iowa football schedules. These planners understand priorities. 😂

Have ideas for next year? Email [email protected] to share your thoughts.

Check out Hello Granger on Instagram for more Granger Fall Festival photos. 👇

• Granger Comes Together for PURA Syndrome 💚

Only about 850 people worldwide have been diagnosed with PURA Syndrome. The rare genetic disorder affects muscle tone, development and everyday body functions. There is no cure, and research relies in part on grassroots fundraising efforts like Pack the Gym for PURA, organized by Hattie’s family and held last Saturday.

Granger’s own Hattie Manning, 4, was diagnosed with PURA Syndrome at a young age and is doing well. But her family wanted to help others facing greater daily challenges by raising money for the PURA Syndrome Foundation. Her dad, Jack, says he’s learned that research and awareness of rare genetic disorders are deeply underfunded, making fundraisers like theirs an important way to support families and fund research grants.

The family hoped 120 people would attend and that they could donate $20,000. Instead, 240 people filled the Assumption Church gym, and their donation totaled just over $70,000!

“People were engaged, people were there to support, and that meant the world to our family,” Jack said.

👉 Click here to learn more about the PURA Syndrome Foundation.

• Have a Say in Granger’s Parks! 🌳

Take this survey and help shape the future of Granger's parks!

University of Iowa urban planning students are working with the City of Granger on a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan and want to hear what residents think about the town’s current parks—what could be improved and added.

Two of the parks mentioned—Triangle Park and Eagle View Park—are currently undeveloped but included in the survey.

The survey takes about seven minutes (or less) and responses are anonymous. Take the survey here! Want to learn more? Read about the project and partnership, or email the student team at [email protected] with questions.

• Mailbox Parking Ordinance Update 📬

At a recent Granger City Council meeting, it was decided to update the city's parking ordinance to include groups of mailboxes, rather than just a single mailbox as currently written. The existing ordinance prohibits parking within 20 feet on either side of a roadside mailbox. The update will expand that language to address groups of mailboxes.

Parking fines are $15, increasing to $20 if not paid within 30 days.

• Halloween and Trick-or-Treating on the Same Day! 👻

Get ready to turn those porch lights on! One week from tomorrow is trick-or-treating night in many Central Iowa communities—including ours!

🎃 Granger’s trick-or-treating is from 5–7 p.m. and Woodward’s is from 6–8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.

📌 Community Board

🗓️ Sign Up Now For WG Parent-Teacher Conferences
Time to sign up for Woodward-Granger parent-teacher conferences! Click here to find your child's school and teacher, then choose a day and time that works for your schedule. Some time slots are already taken, so sign up soon if you need to work around a busy schedule! During conference week, students will have early dismissals Nov. 9–12 and no school Fri. Nov. 13.
ELC and Elementary conferences will be held on Tues., Nov.10, from 3–7:45 p.m. and Thurs., Nov.12, from 3–6 p.m.
Middle School and High School families can schedule flexible conferences between Oct. 26 and Nov. 12, or attend the traditional conference night on Mon., Nov. 9, from 4–8 p.m. Conferences can be held in person or virtually, with families choosing their preference when signing up.

🦅 WG Gear Donations Needed
Donations of gently used Woodward-Granger clothing are still needed, especially sizes small through large. Plans are underway to get the donated gear into the hands of families who need it soon! Donations can be dropped off at Granger Emmanuel United Methodist Church and Woodward United Methodist Church or contact Brenda Talbert at [email protected] for more information.

🧀 Busy Food Donation Sites
The Granger Public Library’s community refrigerator has been busy lately, and protein donations would be appreciated! You can also drop off donations at the Woodward Public Library’s community refrigerator.

🚘 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.