Greetings Growth Alliance Members,

What an incredible weekend in Downtown Fort Dodge! Our Country Jam was a huge success—amazing music, great company, and a vibrant downtown atmosphere that reminded us why events like this matter so much to our community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who pitched in for cleanup and to the many volunteers who make these events possible. You’re the reason the magic happens.

Now, looking ahead, our Annual Golf Outing is just three weeks away! Trust me when I say you do not want to miss this event. We still have a few hole sponsorships available—a fantastic opportunity to get your business in front of a highly engaged audience and see nearly instant ROI.

Or maybe you’d rather swap the office chair for a golf cart and spend the afternoon networking on the course. Gather a team of four and join us for a day of friendly competition, fresh air, and plenty of laughs.

Whether you’re swinging clubs or showcasing your brand, this is your chance to connect, have fun, and be part of one of our most anticipated events of the year. See you on the green!

VDA Dance & Gymnastics Fall Registration

💃🔥VDA is the PLACE to be!🔥💃

📅THURSDAY, August 14th from 3–7 PM, our Fort Dodge location is THE spot for Fall Enrollment & all the fun you can handle!🥳

We’re talking…

🎟️Door prizes that will make you jump for joy

☀️Fundraisers that help our dancers shine brighter than ever

📸Epic photo ops with our VDA backdrops (grab your friends, strike a pose, and let’s see those smiles!)

Skip the wait — enroll online now at www.vickysdanceacademy.com and walk right into the fun.

✨The energy will be high, and the VDA family will be ready to welcome YOU with open arms. This is the place to be, and we can’t wait to see you there! 💖

7th Annual Flower Festival

Bigger and beautiful as ever! This year you will be stepping into a breathtaking world of vibrant colors as we have added several rows of wildflowers!! Come out and take in all that nature's beauty has to offer!

Festival runs from 10am to 9pm.

📅Aug 16-17

More Info

Farmland Leasing Arrangements

Better leases, make better relationships! In this workshop you will gain knowledge in recent survey trends and market outlook, understand how farmland lease is impacted by a farm estate or succession plan and strengthen tenant and landowner communications.

📅Thursday, August 14th

1:30PM-4PM

Webster County Extension

Register Here

Farm Estate/Succession Planning Workshops

Join this 2 session workshop and learn the Importance of Farm Business Succession Planning Farm Succession Structure Beginning Farmer Tax Credits Working With an Attorney Language of Estate Planning Setting Goals Gift, Estate & Inheritance Taxes Implementing Your Estate Plan.

📅Thursday, August 14th & 21st

Supper starts at 5:30PM

Register Here

Preserve The Taste of Summer 101

Do you love that fresh garden produce but have more than you can eat? Preserve it! it's not difficult, but you do need to follow safe methods on doing so. In this class you will learn how to can, freeze, and dry foods safely at home.

📅Thursday, August 14th

5:00PM-6:30PM

📍Smitty's Garden Center

$20 per person

More Info

One Vision Ice Cream Social

Join One Vision as we celebrate our amazing Fort Dodge community with an evening full of fun, friendship, and delicious food! Reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy a night of community, inclusion, and good times. Bring your family and bring your friends because everyone is welcome!

📅Friday, August 15th

4:00PM-7:00PM

📍1470 21st Ave N

Carwash Fundraiser

Join us for Community Christian School's Carwas Fundraiser. All proceeds will go towards the school.

📅Saturday, August 16th

10:00AM-3:00PM

*Free will Donation

📍3126 5th Ave S

We Didn't Forget, 75 Years Since WWII

Join us for a day of honoring the last day of WWII. It will be a recognition of how peoples reaction to the news that the war was over. The relief, the hope and prayers that was moving on to a better future. It will be a time to share memories, view footage of how the soldiers were at war. Veterans are encouraged to come dressed in uniform if they desire but not required.

📅August 16th

9:30AM-12:30PM

📍Large Meeting room at the Fort Dodge Public Library

4th Annual Community Leadership Summit

The 4th Annual Community Empowerment & Leadership Summit is a dynamic two-day gathering focused on strengthening Fort Dodge through collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions. Attendees will explore critical topics like gun violence reduction, financial empowerment, inclusive hiring, and conflict de-escalation—led by nationally recognized experts and community advocates. The summit promotes connection across sectors to inspire long-term change, foster unity, and build more resilient neighborhoods. With sessions designed to spark courageous conversations and real-world action, it’s not just an event—it’s a movement.



📅August 19th & 21st

8:30AM-4:30PM

📍One Triton Circle

More Info

Fireside Chat - Archaeology 101

Join us each month for an informal discussion about a variety of conservation/recreation topics in Webster County. August's topic includes beekeeping and interesting facts about honeybees. Coffee and light snacks will be provided.

📅Thursday, August 21st- 6:00PM

📍Camp WaNoki Road

Gowrie Downtown Market

Join us for a evening of SHOPPING,MUSIC,FOOD & FUN!



📅Saturday, August 23rd

4:00PM-8:00PM

📍Downtown Gowrie

For a list of all events,

click here.

Shawn Chesteen

Dodger Download This week, Josh Porter is joined by Middle School Principal Shawn Chesteen to discuss the importance of providing an educational and nurturing environment to middle school-aged students, why it is key to listen to students, how to best ensure students have the best learning opportunities, and more!

No More Data Caps!

Earlier this year Mediacom dropped data caps on all of their Internet speed offerings. We are currently offering excellent 2 and 3 year price lock options!

More Info

It All Started with a Curl – Right Here!

What a great finding by the Webster County Historical Society. In 1933 a patent application was submitted by a former Fort Dodge plumber, John Edwin Gustin. This longitudinal and radial vegetable slicer/cutter seem most likely to yield a curly fry. Gustin explained in his submission "The object of his invention was to provide a mechanism for slicing vegetables into long, narrow, and thin ribbons so that the vegetables could rapidly cook in hot grease."

To find out more information contact the Historic Society

Our Family Homestead

Our Family Homestead will be at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market! Stop out and see us, Now Accepting Venmo!

📅Wednesday Afternoons: 1PM-5:30PM

Saturday Mornings: 9AM-1PM

Fort Dodge Farmers Market

📍We are located in the same location, across the street east of Kemna Auto or just north of the Graham Collision Building.



📅Wednesday Afternoons: 1PM-5:30PM

Saturday Mornings: 9AM-1PM

Come see us!

Dog Training Classes

🐾 Dog Training Classes – Fort Dodge Build a better bond with your dog – start training today! Join our AKC-certified dog training programs designed to teach your pup essential skills, boost confidence, and improve behavior—all while having fun!

🐶 S.T.A.R. Puppy Class ⏰ 5:30 – 6:15 PM For puppies 2 – 6 months old. Help your puppy get the best start with socialization, basic obedience, and communication training. ✅ Requirements: Proof of rabies & distemper vaccinations. No dog-aggressive behavior. 🐕 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class ⏰ 6:30 – 7:15 PM For dogs 6 months and older. This comprehensive AKC program teaches good manners and includes a 10-skill test to ensure your dog behaves in real-world situations. ✅ Requirements: Proof of rabies & distemper vaccinations. No dog-aggressive behavior.

📅 Class Schedule:

September 8 – October 27, 2025 (Mondays) 📍 Location: Fort Dodge

How a Small-Town Pastry Became a National Fundraising Favorite

Askley Akridge and Lynn Bouska stop by from Country Maid, Inc. to discuss the butterbraid pastry we've all come to know and love. We discuss how Country Maid started, how they've scaled their company, being featured on "How It's Made" in 2014, being a finalist for "Coolest Thing Made In Iowa - 2025" and more!

Diffusing Tense Situations

Identify key triggers and signs of escalating tension in workplace interactions. Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to manage difficult conversations. Evaluate conflict resolution strategies to determine the most appropriate response in various high-stakes situations.

📍Webster City Campus

📅9/30/2025

2:00PM-4:00PM

📩noncredit@iowacentral.edu

📞515-574-1293

🔗Contact us for more information

Meet the trailblazers! 2025 Women of Influence

Meet the trailblazers! 2025 Women of Influence lit up the stage on July 31, sharing powerful stories and unforgettable words of wisdom. Ready to be inspired? Don’t miss a moment—watch their moving speeches now! Discover how you can elevate your business journey just like Kimberly. Spin Markket and Cutting Edge Success have joined forces for more inspiration and actionable insights.