Hello Granger: July 17-23 Local Highlights

Can you believe we're already halfway through July? If the kids are getting restless—or you just need a reason to get out of the house—there's still plenty to do before summer winds down. This week, you'll also find news about a new business coming to Granger, plus Highway 141 Garage Sale information.

Enjoy the week... and if anyone asks, yes, we're kind of a big deal now. We've got two roundabouts.

Thanks for reading Hello Granger. I'm glad you're here.

Friday, July 17
A Little Social
Centennial Park | 9-10:30 a.m. | $7
A Little Social, where kids ages 0–5 can enjoy free play while caregivers connect. If you missed this week’s event, register now for next week through Granger Parks & Rec.

Pony Tales
Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 NW 103rd Ct., Granger  | 11:30 a.m. | No registration
Enjoy a horse-themed story while the ponies listen nearby! After the reading, stick around for a pony meet-and-greet. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket as picnic tables are limited.

Saturday, July 18
Yoga in the Park
Centennial Park | 8 a.m. | Free
Open to all experience levels, this outdoor class, taught by Jessica Bilog Yoga, is a great chance to enjoy fresh air, movement and a relaxing start to the weekend. Bring your own mat if you have one, though extras will be available.

Woodward Farmers Market
By the mural in Woodward | 10 a.m. -12 p.m. |
The Woodward Farmers Market is a great chance to shop local for fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more.

Corn Feed Event
Granger Emmanuel United Methodist Church | 4-7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to see ventriloquist and singer Brent Vernon and his puppet Sam, then stick around for a corn feed featuring sweet corn, beanie weenies, coleslaw and a drink. Come for one event or stay for both! A free-will offering will be accepted for each event.

Sunday, July 19
Swoops ‘N Scoops’ Anything But A Cup
Granger Community Center | 2-8 p.m.
As long as your container is clean, family-friendly, and fits through the trailer window, it'll be filled with ice cream. Bring your best, most creative idea for a chance to win one of several prizes.

Woodward United Methodist Church VBS
Woodward United Methodist Church | July 19-21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Kids ages 4 and up are invited to a fun-filled VBS experience. Each evening includes a light supper, and opportunities to learn about Jesus.

Monday, July 20
Mommy + Me Yoga
Granger Community Center | 9-10 a.m. | Free but register
Caregivers and children are invited to stretch, breathe, and move together in a come-as-you-are environment. Since the Community Center is booked, this session will be held outside (weather permitting), so bring a towel or yoga mat and enjoy some fresh air.

Assumption Catholic Church VBS
Assumption Catholic Church, Granger | July 20-24 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Free-will donation
Kids entering kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Vacation Bible School with this year's theme, Paul and the Underground Church. Contact Cathy Davidson at [email protected] or 515-314-3841 with questions.

Tuesday, July 21
RAGBRAI is close to home this year
On Day 3, riders will pass through Perry, about 15–20 minutes west of Granger, on their way from Guthrie Center to Boone. As the day's Meeting Town, Perry will host live entertainment and food downtown for riders and visitors.

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

Air-Dry Clay Craft Time
Woodward Public Library | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Kids can get creative by sculpting and designing their own air-dry clay creations.

Jester Park Summer Skills: Archery
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 p.m. | $10/register by July 19
Kids ages 10–16 can learn the basics of archery in this beginner-friendly class covering safety, proper shooting form, equipment, and shooting techniques with a compound bow. Registration is required by July 19.

Trivia Night at Granger Public Library
Granger Public Library | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Registration fills FAST
Put all those random facts to good use during this all-ages event with Funny Guy Trivia. Bring your family, friends, or a team of up to six—or come on your own and join others. Gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Fareway, and Vintage Road are up for grabs!
If registration is full, join the waitlist. You can also call the library at 515-999-2088 the day of the event to check for cancellations.

Woodward Community Food Pantry's Summer Food Pickup
Pick up at designated location 5-7 p.m. 
Eligible families in Granger, Woodward, and Bouton can pick up food at their community's designated pick-up location. Click here for more info. in a previous week’s newsletter.

Women in the Woods with Wine - Paddling Adventure
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 p.m. | Women 21+ | $15/register by July 19
Learn the basics of kayaking and canoeing before getting on the water to try it all out. It's a chance to unwind, have fun, and become more comfortable exploring the outdoors alongside other women who enjoy nature, too. Registration is required by July 19.

Wednesday, July 22
Dallas Center Farmers Market
Heritage Park, Dallas Center | 4-7 p.m.
Dallas Center, just a short drive away has vendors, treats and treasures.

Thursday, July 23
Jester Park Summer Skills: Outdoor Survival
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 p.m. | $10/register by July 21
Kids ages 10–16 can learn essential skills, like how to build a shelter, start a fire, and identify edible plants in this hands-on survival class. Registration is required by July 21.

Senior Social Time
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m. |
A chance for older adults to get out of the house and connect with cards, games, movies, conversation and occasional ice cream socials: hosted by Granger Parks and Recreation.

Video Game Time
Woodward Public Library | 3-5 p.m.
Bring your friends for a fun afternoon of video games! Open to students in grades 5–12.

🏪 Local Business Spotlight: Salon 2216

Born and raised in Granger, Molly Meinecke first earned a degree in agricultural business before following her passion for hair and attending cosmetology school. Today, she owns Salon 2216 in Granger.

Molly credits her Gram for helping her get where she is today. Her grandmother, a longtime client of Alice Wicker at Alice's Beauty Shop in Granger, helped her land her first chair rental there while she was in cosmetology school.

Alice then took a chance on Molly, mentored her, and eventually entrusted her with the salon. Now, Salon 2216 is home to five stylists and one massage therapist/esthetician.

“My favorite part of serving the Granger community is the relationships I’ve built along the way,” Molly says. “I’m grateful to serve such a supportive community and love getting to make people feel seen, cared for, and beautiful inside and out.”

Salon 2216
📍2216 Broadway St., Granger
✂️📅 Book Appointment: Click Here
👍 Follow Salon 2216 on Facebook here.

Pro Tip: Back-to-school appointments fill up quickly, so it's best to schedule your child's haircut sooner rather than later. Click here to schedule now.

• New Business Coming to Granger

The building at 1910 Main St. in Granger (between Granger Public Works and Bud's Pub) was originally built as a Masonic Lodge, with a social hall on the first floor and a dance hall upstairs. Over the years, it has also housed a laundromat, hair salon, and landscape business.

Now, another chapter is beginning. Main Street Mercantile has announced plans to relocate from Woodward, with renovations underway. The boutique-style consignment shop offers clothing, accessories, and home décor. An opening date has not yet been announced.

• Hwy 141 Garage Sale—ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY

Granger is among the first communities on the Highway 141 Garage Sale route August 7 and 8 for many shoppers traveling west from the Des Moines metro. Our family has made the route an annual tradition, and in our experience, Granger consistently has A LOT of shoppers. So if you want in on the action as a seller, here’s how to get started: 

Register by August 5 with the City of Granger to get your sale listed on the town map and in various newspapers, radio stations and websites covering the event. 

Here’s two ways to register:
1. Click here and print the form, fill it out and drop it off at Granger City Hall with $5.
2. Or email [email protected] and include your name, address, phone and a list of items you’re selling, then click here, find “Highway 141 registration” under Type of Payment and pay the $5 fee. 

If you're new around here, here's a quick history of the Highway 141 Garage Sales. This annual event features garage sales in communities along more than 177 miles of Highway 141, from Grimes to Sloan. Each community coordinates its own registrations and maps, while shoppers travel the route visiting sales across west-central Iowa. This year marks the event's 24th anniversary.

📌 Community Board

🏷️ Granger Nursing & Rehab is collecting gently used donations for its Highway 141 Garage Sale. Donations can be dropped off by August 5 at 2001 Kennedy St. Every donation helps support the residents.

✏️ W-G School Supply Lists: Elementary school list: click here Middle School: click here

💚 Need help with back-to-school supplies?
Stone Bridge Church in Granger would like to help! Click here to sign up. While they can't guarantee every item on each grade's supply list, they hope to help supplement your family's needs. Questions? Call 641-260-0184. Also—the Woodward United Methodist Church is hosting its School Supply Closet for families in Woodward and Granger. To register, call 515-438-2808 or 515-210-9805 by July 31.

🍗 The Granger Public Library shared that the community refrigerator has been especially busy lately. If you're able, consider picking up an extra source of protein—dairy, meat, etc.—during your next grocery trip and drop it by.

🚒 Serve with Granger Fire & EMS
A chance to serve close to home: Granger Fire & EMS is looking for residents within 10 minutes of the station to join its paid-per-call volunteer team and help support local emergency response efforts. Click here for contact info.

🚘 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.

— Stephanie, Hello Granger
Know something going on? Just hit reply and email me with the info!