It feels like everywhere you look around town lately, there’s some kind of construction happening. At this point, we may need to swap Granger’s landmark from the two water towers to an excavator.
Also — today is Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free more than two years after slavery officially ended. Keep reading for a free family event happening June 20 in Des Moines to celebrate. And click here for more Juneteenth history.
Have a great week—summer is here! ☀️
📅 Things to Do This Week
Friday, June 19
A Little Social
Granger Public Library | 9-10:15 a.m. | $7 | Register through Parks and Rec
A time for kids (ages 0-5) to play and caregivers to connect.
Free Skating Fun in Dallas Center
Dallas Center Mound Park/Outdoor Skate Rink | Fri., 7-9 p.m. | Free
Enjoy free skating, scooters, music, games, prizes, and budget-friendly snacks. Only 10 minutes away!
Saturday, June 20
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 while browsing fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, local vendors and more.
Iowa Juneteenth Neighbors Day Celebration
Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines | 12- 6 p.m. | Free
Celebrate Juneteenth in downtown Des Moines with live entertainment, activities for kids, food vendors, small business shopping, health and wellness resources, and more.
Last Day to Register for Babysitting Basics
Today is the last day to register for the Babysitting Basics class happening June 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Granger Community Center. Open to students entering 5th–9th grade, the course is $45 and covers first aid, emergency response, child care basics and the responsibilities of being a great babysitter.
Sunday, June 21
👔🛠️ Father’s Day
Take time to celebrate the dads, grandpas and father figures who make a difference.
Summer Solstice Hike at Jester Park
Wetland Shelter, Jester Park | 7:30-9 p.m. | Free
Celebrate the longest day of the year with a hike through the woods. Meet at the Wetland Shelter and bring the family for a fun evening outdoors.
Monday, June 22
Mommy and Me Yoga
Outside Community Center (indoor space unavailable) | 9-10 a.m. | Free
This is a free class! Don't worry if you or your child doesn't have a mat; we have plenty of mats available! Guided by Jessica Bilbo Yoga.
Dino Craft Time
Woodward Public Library | 10-11 a.m.
Little dinosaur lovers ages 2–5 can make a hands-on pom pom dinosaur craft that encourages creativity and helps develop fine motor skills.
Tuesday, June 23
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m. |
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience.
Dino Building Fun
Woodward Public Library | 10-11 a.m.
Young creators in K–5th grade can bring their dinosaur ideas to life by designing their own air-dry clay creation. No registration–just stop in.
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.
Wednesday, June 24
Jurassic Park Movie Matinee
Woodward Public Library | 10-12 p.m.
Grab some friends and head to the library for a “Jurassic Park” movie matinee designed for tweens and teens.
Magic Show at the Library
Granger Public Library | 2-3 p.m. |
Don’t miss Iowa’s youngest professional magician, Kayleigh Rodgers, performing as part of the library’s summer reading program. Registration required — call to check for open spots—515.999.2088
Thursday, June 25
Senior Social Time
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m. |
A chance for older adults to get out of the house and connect, Senior Social Time includes cards, games, movies, conversation and occasional ice cream socials hosted by Granger Parks and Recreation.
Family BINGO
Granger Public Library | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | All Ages |
Bring the family out for an hour of games, prizes and fun during this monthly event hosted by Granger Public Library. Registration is required. If you wait until the day of, call first to check availability at 515.999.2088.
Register for A Little Social
A quick reminder to register for Friday’s A Little Social, where kids ages 0–5 can enjoy free play while caregivers connect. The event runs 9–10:15 a.m., costs $7, and registration is through Parks & Rec.
🏪 Local Business Spotlight
The Gilded Page Bookshop
When your day job is teaching high school English, opening a bookstore seems like the perfect side gig. For Woodward-Granger English teacher Christina Bos, that became her reality when she opened The Gilded Page Bookstore online in January.
Why a bookstore?
“I have actually always wanted to own a bookstore because I want to share my love of reading with others,” Bos says. She also wants to help others get excited about reading!
That passion is reflected in the carefully curated collection she offers. Bos personally handpicks every title, currently focusing on a wide variety of fiction for young adult and adult readers. By the end of summer, she’s hoping to expand the collection by adding nonfiction titles and books for younger readers.
Granger resident, Christina Bos
😎📚 Bos’ Summer Book Picks 😀
• Mystery/Suspense: My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
• Thought-Provoking Fiction: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
• YA Thriller Pick: What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally (Perfect for fans of Natasha Preston)
🌐 Website is always open (except during in-person events): Click here to shop with FREE local delivery available.
🗓️ Upcoming Pop-Up & In-Person Events
• July 11 — The Rabbit Room (Johnston), 12–4 p.m.
• July 18 — Woodward Farmers Market, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
• July 27 — Granger Farmers Market, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
📰 Top Local Stories
• Granger Growth Heads South of Highway 141
The dirt moving on the south side of Highway 141 toward Grimes marks the early stages of one of Granger’s first major residential growth projects on that side of the highway.
New construction is visible from Hwy 141, just west of the Iowa Orchard strawberry patch.
The Beaver Creek Estates development is expected to bring more than 50 larger residential lots, most ranging from half-acre to more than two-acre parcels, along with new roads, cul-de-sacs, drainage infrastructure and a new sewer lift station.
A commercial parcel near Highway 141 on the north end of the development is also included. The project has moved through multiple Granger City Council and Planning and Zoning approvals since fall 2025. Sewer and water infrastructure is currently being installed, with additional grading work expected to continue this summer.
• Meet Woodward-Granger’s New Activities Director
The W-G School District announced on Facebook June 15 that Jason Mehrhoff has been named the district’s new Activities Director. Mehrhoff previously served as a teacher and coach at Carlisle High School, bringing experience in both athletics and speech as he steps into the new role.
• Granger City Administrator Says Goodbye
Anyone who’s spent time talking with Kirk Bjorland knows how deeply he cares about Granger and the direction the community is headed. Before resigning from his role as city administrator, he shared a few parting thoughts with the town he’s served for years
What’s Next? The Granger City Council approved Cole Smith as the city’s next administrator. Smith, most recently served as City Administrator for Riverside (a town in eastern Iowa), and is expected to begin his new role on July 20.
📌 Community Board
🚙 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.
☎️ Part-Time Job Opening in Granger
Janning Family Chiropractic is hiring for an afternoon part-time front desk position. Hours are Monday–Thursday from 2–6 p.m., with possible Friday hours as well. Send your resume and a brief bio to [email protected].
🍎 The community refrigerator at the Granger Public Library is accepting donations. Items like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables and protein are always needed.
❓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!
