October Area Happenings

Dozens of people waited out front of the Cherokee Regional Wellness Center on Sunday October 7th before the doors opened for the Wellness Center's 10th Anniversary Open House. The first 100 people received a free commemorative T-shirt. (Photo contributed)

Retired NFL star Adam Timmerman of Cherokee entertained the large crowd at the Wellness Center's 10 Anniversary Open House on October 7th by sharing the benefits of wellness, exercise, and nutrition with the crowd. (Photo contributed)

The 39th Annual Jung's Tae Kwon Do tournament in Cedar Rapids was held in October, and Jung's Tae Kwon Do of Cherokee had two students participate, Raistlin Putzier, left, and Colby Heims, right. Raistlin earned first place in both Forms and Board Breaking and second in Free-sparring. Colby was second in Forms and Board Breaking and third in Free sparring. Both students worked very hard to achieve these medals. (Photo contributed)

Spooks are currently gathering at the Grand Meadow Heritage Center for the Center's 7th Annual Haunted House. The popular Halloween howl will be taking place on the Heritage Center's grounds on October 19, 20, 26 and 27. (Photo by Mike Leckband)

Recent improvements Recent improvements made to the Lily of the Valley School #5 in Cherokee were made possible by the Cherokee Cointy Legacy Grant received last spring. A soaker hose was purchased to help water the landscaping around the building... (Photo contributed)

... The Lily of the Valley School #5 of Cherokee also purchased some mulch to cover a soaker hose that helps water the landscaping around the school, thanks to money provided by the Cherokee County Legacy Grant... (Photo contributed)

... Other improvements made to the Lily of the Valley School #5 included some much - needed gutters and downspouts which were added to the schoolhouse... (Photo contributed)

... The Lily of the Valley Country School #5 recently received two rain barrels donated by the Cherokee County Conservation Department and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This helps the school, where in wet years, runoff has caused dampness in the building and other problems, including mold. (Photo contributed)

Worship In the Park- The Meriden Evangelical Free Praise Band held a concert in Gillette Park in Cherokee called "Worship In the Park." Many people came to listen during the wonderful evening. Left to right, Molly Paulsrud, Jan Tjeerdsma, Greta Peterson, Randy Hinds, Scott Lovell, Ben Cox, and Leah Johnson. (Photo contributed)

Enjoying the evening - Several residents who live around Gillette Park could be seen sitting in their yards or on their back porches as they enjoyed the music at the "Worship In the Park" concert. Pictured are some of the crowd who enjoyed the evening. (Photo contributed)

Root beer floats - Jim and Pat Johansen along with Doug and Cindra Goodburn served free root beer floats at the Meriden Evanglical Free Praise Band's October concert in Cherokee's Gillette Park. (Photo contributed)

Praise Band- Members of the Meriden Evangelical Free Church Praise Band at the concert performed at Gillette Park in Cherokee. back row, left to right, Jan Tjeerdsma, Randy Hinds, Ben Cox, and Michael Bush. Front row, Greta Peterson, Scott Lovell, Leah Johnson, and Mary Jane Lund. (Photo contributed)

The River Valley Junior High Choir sang 'That's What The Devil Said' at an October concert ... (Photo contributed)

... while the River Valley High School Choir sang 'Keep Your Lamps!' under the direction of Wendel Brown... (Photo contributed)

... and the Junior High Band, under the direction of Eric Flynn, performed 'This Old Man' ...

... and the River Valley High School Band performed the 'Howard Hanson Suite' (Photo contributed)

Trick or Treat - Every year on the 3rd Saturday of October, the Little Sioux Park at Correctionville hosts the Halloween Weekend when everyone decorates their camp site, and gives out candy to the costumed youngsters... (Photo by Jolene Smith)

... Princess Eliah Byers and Bunny Lexi Robinson were among those trick or treating at the event... (Photo by Jolene Smith)

Super Heroes - ... Super Heroes Teddy and Gage Berning and Jillian Fox were also among those trick or treating at the recent Halloween Weekend at Little Sioux Park near Correctionville. (Photo by Jolene Smith)

First Snowfall - The season's first light snow hit Cherokee at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday October 25, as evidenced in this photo... but it didn't accumulate and soon disappeared. (Photo by Dan Whitney)

Pumpkin fundraiser - Children at the Cleghorn Presbyterian Sunday School decorated pumpkins for a silent auction to raise funds for the church camp at Lake Okoboji. With the aid of their teachers, the children painted a total of eight pumpkins, which they named as follows, from left, Spooky, MMC, Spider of the Ocean, Splatter Island, Pumpkin Cheryl, Chester, A Beautiful Fall Day (the one full of autumn leaves), and Haunted Ghost. (Photo contributed)

Halloween Hike - The Cherokee Conservation Department held a Halloween Hike and camp-out at Silver Sioux Recreation Area in October, and an estimated 200 people participated in the spooky event... (Photo contributed)

Spooky time- Silver Sioux Recreation Area was the setting for the Cherokee County Halloween Hike, held in October. The family fun event hosted campers and hikers, who spent time hiking along a "haunted trail" and shared plenty of spooky stories. (Photo contributed)

Haunted trail - ... As part of the Cherokee Conservation Department's Halloween Hike, participants got to go on to explore a "haunted trail." Afterwards there was plenty of candy to go around for the littler hikers... (Photo contributed)

Family fun event - ... Cherokee County Naturalist Laura Kohn was on hand at the Cherokee County Conservation Department's Halloween Hike to answer any questions participants had during the family fun event, which was held at Silver Sioux Recreation Area in October... (Photo contributed)

Aurelia's Harvest Hoopla - The annual Aurelia Harvest Hoopla took place on Saturday October 27. The day featured several events in Aurelia, with most of the events being held at the Aurelia Community Center, including the Hunters/ Harvest Breakfast, Bake Sale, Little Spooks House of Fun and a Soup Meal. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Harvest Breakfast - Aurelia's Harvest Hoopla was held on Saturday October 27th. beginning with a Hunter Harvest Breakfast at the Aurelia Community Center. Proceeds of the breakfast went to the Alta-Aurelia School D.A.R.E program and the Kiwanis Eliminate Program. The event was sponsored by the Aurelia Kiwanis, Aurelia Commercial Club and D.A.R.E. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Taste of goodness - ... As part of the October 27th Aurelia Harvest Hoopla, members of the Sunset Knoll Auxiliary sponsored a Bake Sale at the Aurelia Community Center. Some of the proud bakers included, left to right, Elaine Buenger, Loretta Rath, Phyllis Cuthrell and Jan Pingel... (Photo by Diane Otto)

D.A.R.E. to support the community - Gene Suhr, D.A.R.E Officer for the Alta-Aurelia schools, was on hand at the Aurelia Harvest Hoopla to help take tickets at the Hunters/ Harvest Breakfast held at the Aurelia Community Center. The Alta-Aurelia D.A.R.E. program, along with the Aurelia Kiwanis and Aurelia Commercial Club, sponsored the popular breakfast. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Kiddy Parade - ... As part of the Oct. 27 Harvest Hoopla festivities, the Kiddy Parade started at the Aurelia City Park and walked to the Aurelia Community Center Parking Lot. During the Parade, the group also made a short trip to Sunset Knoll to "parade" for the residents. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Hallowe'en fun - ... The Aurelia Harvest Hoopla Kiddy Parade was a great opportunity for the town's residents to see all the kids in their costumes up close along the parade route, all part of the Hallowe'en fun in Aurelia on October 27th. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Say 'cheese' - ... Among the hundreds of kids participating in this year's Aurelia Harvest Hoopla Kiddy Parade were Caela Kruger, left, and Lily Schulenberg, who showed off their costumes while on parade... (Photo by Diane Otto)

Trunk or Treat - ... After the Aurelia Harvest Hoopla Kiddy Parade, event organizers held the "Trunk or Treat" in the parking lot of the Aurelia Community Center. Participants handed out treats from the car's trunks to the little ghouls and goblins who participated in this year's Aurelia Harvest Hoopla. (Photo by Diane Otto)

Halloween fever Employees at the Cherokee County Court House got into the Halloween spirit on October 31st by dressing up in their favorite costumes. Pictured are, front row, left to right, Meredith Scott, Tara Davis, and Dawn Jones Coombs. Second row, Nancy Nelson, Misty Daum, Jackie Dierenfield, Lindsay Bressler, Linda Ruschmann, Ryan Kolpin, and Kara Harpenau. Third row, Greg Zarr, Jacob Rosewall, Cindy Nelson, Hedgie Brandt, Kristy Petersen, Cheryl Kaskey, Roxanne Roethler, Lisa Grashoff, Wendy Koch, and Sandy O'Hearn. (Photo by Mike Leckband)

Trunk or Treat - Heidi Church teaches young people about a jack-o-lantern at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church 'Trunk or Treat' event held at Hallowe'en time. The activities were held indoors due to the windy, cold weather. (Photo contributed)