A Walnut Blog

19th Annual Walnut Optimist Club's Antique City Car Show

2011-07-25T08:57:00.001-05:00

The Walnut Optimist Club's Annual Antique City Car Show is always scheduled for the first Sunday in August. There are 27 Classes with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies plus special awards given. There are also "Stock" and "Modified" classes for both autos and pickups with "Special Awards" for Best GM, Best Ford, Best MOPAR, and Best Other. The judging will be held on tree canopied Antique City Drive in Walnut.

The 19th Annual Walnut Optimist Club's Antique City Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, August 7, 2011 and will again be held on Walnut's beautiful Antique City Drive. So mark your calendars, and we hope to see you there!

More Info Here

29th annual AmVets Antique Walk June 17-18-19th 2011

2011-06-01T13:51:00.000-05:00

The Walnut Antique Walk began in 1982 and has a rich history of attracting antique vendors and shoppers from around the world! Over 300 dealers from across the United States set up their booths, restocking daily with newly displayed items. If you haven't attended the Walnut AMVETs Antique Show, you will discover that this is the show to "find it and buy it."

Walnut's turn-of-the-century buildings, brick and tree-lined streets, country hospitality and existing malls and shops are the perfect setting for this wonderful annual event.

Read More

Antiquing in Walnut Iowa's Simple Pleasures with Dan Kaercher » Iowa Public Television

2011-05-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

Join Dan Kaercher as he stroll's through an antique shopper's delight. Iowa's designated Antique City of Walnut boasts more than 15 separate antique shops in this town of 900 people.

Hosted by Dan Kaercher, Iowa's Simple Pleasures features Iowa travel destinations, restaurants, events, parks, recreation and more. Produced by Iowa Public Television, the series highlights fun things for Iowans to do, see and taste, right here at home.

Antiquing in Walnut, Walnut, Iowa » Iowa's Simple Pleasures with Dan Kaercher » Iowa Public Television

8th Annual Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend April 8-10, 2011

2011-03-24T09:44:00.004-05:00

Fundraiser for Scholarships and Programs to benefit Walnut Community School.

Friday April 8th Soup Cookoff

Saturday and Sunday: Alumni Basketball and Volleyball Tournament

Saturday Night: Alumni Dance at the Legion Hall

Get all the details at FriendsofWCS.com or Facebook.

Merchants Association 28th Annual Christmas Antique Walk

2010-11-15T13:37:00.002-06:00

Once again this year, thousands of lights will outline the turn-of-the-century storefronts lining Walnut's downtown and the traditional towering live Christmas tree will again dominate this town's brick streets. Horse drawn carriage tours or horse drawn sleigh rides will be available, while merchants serve up holiday treats and hot spiced cider and coffee in shops.

Visiting antique dealers will set up tempting displays of fine antiques and collectibles in the American Legion building and each and every one of Walnut's 250+ dealers in the antique shops and malls will be restocking their shops and spaces with newly found treasures for your selection.

For more information about the Christmas Walk or special holiday shop hours and events, call the Walnut Visitors Center at (712) 784-2100.

Its a slower-paced, enjoyable, and peaceful start to the Holiday shopping season.

More at WalnutIowa.org

WCS Submits Written Recommendations Regarding Pottawattamie County TIF Proposal

2010-10-27T14:45:00.001-05:00

The Urban Renewal Plan proposes to establish an Urban Renewal Area around the individual wind turbines comprising the Walnut Wind Farm in order to authorize a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district on an existing facility. The Walnut Wind Farm became operational in 2008. Its first assessment date for property tax purposes was Jan 01, 2009.

...

The primary goal of our recommendations is to limit the financial impact to the school district and our residents and thus protect our ability to meet our obligations to our current and future students. Any steps taken to lessen the financial impact on our school district will also lessen the impact on the other taxing authorities affected by this plan, including but not limited to, A-H-S-T School District, Layton and Knox Townships, and Iowa Western Community College.

...

Full Text of the Letter Here

Supervisors Discuss TIF District at Walnut City Council Meeting Oct 7, 5PM

2010-10-07T10:51:00.003-05:00

Supervisors Discuss TIF District at Walnut City Council Meeting Oct 7, 5PM

From FriendsofWCS.com (Full Articles)

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors is investigating establishing a tax increment financing district around the more than 100 existing wind generators in the eastern part of the county to capture money for road improvements.

According to a map provided by Pottawattamie County Planning Director Kay Mocha, 18 of the wind generators are located in the A-H-S-T Community School District and 93 in the Walnut Community School District.Under Iowa law, the county is not able to levy property taxes on the net acquisition cost for the wind turbines the first year. In the second year, the county can tax 5 percent of the acquisition cost, a figure that increases 5 percent per year up to 30 percent of the acquisition cost in year seven, at which point the taxable value is capped through the 20th year.

Currently, Houser said the land’s tax base value is as agriculture land. If a TIF were created the county would capture any value above the base value.

Houser said it was unclear how much money would be captured, but in May, the Supervisors said that if the 5 percent estimate were to be applied, it would increase the county’s property tax base by about $16 million. If a TIF area were established, the county would capture all of the tax money from the area, above the base value and less the school district’s debt service and physical plant and equipment levies.

Houser said a majority of the money, a maximum of 80 percent, that the school districts lose would be “backfilled” by the state.

Silo Trees and B-24s

2010-08-19T09:44:00.007-05:00

A couple of pictures from Homer's Travels. Homer-Dog traveled to Walnut to some antiquing and get a picture of the B-24 memorial outside of Walnut and something else caught his eye: a silo-tree. Who knew silo-trees had a fan club?

This was a follow-up trip for Homer. On his first trip to Walnut, he forgot his camera and missed some Rockwellesque moments.

18th Annual Optimist Antique Car Show - August 1, 2010

2010-07-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

Sunday, August 1st 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Walnut Optimist Club's Annual Antique City Car Show is always scheduled for the first Sunday in August. For 2010, that will be August 1st.

http://www.iowasantiquecity.com/events.php

28th Annual AMVETS Antique Show -- June 18-20 -- Father's Day Weekend

2010-06-07T16:06:00.004-05:00

Father's Day weekend is fast approaching. Walnut merchants and residents are busy preparing for the busiest weekend of the year.

June 18-20, 2010
Father's Day Weekend
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Visit the Events Page for more details.

YouTube Channel Shows Views from atop Windmills

2010-04-12T09:30:00.004-05:00

Most people wouldn't have the opportunity (or the guts) to climb to the top of one of the many wind turbines surrounding Walnut, Iowa. That's where YouTube user techy508 comes in. His YouTube Channel has many videos taken while working on the wind farm near Walnut, including an unusual view of a crop duster - from above.

Iowa's Antique City Fan Page Created on Facebook

2010-04-07T11:25:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Walnut Iowa's "Antique City". Walnut with it's wide array of antiques and collectibles would like to say hello to all it's old friends and invite to join this page! We would also invite anyone with a passion for antiques to join our page!

Iowa's Antique City Fan Page

Walnut Splash Pad Project in the Running for Pepsi Grant

2010-04-05T11:40:00.005-05:00

The Walnut Splash Pad is eligible for a $50,000 grant from Pepsi in its Neighborhood Refresh Project. Awards are granted by online vote.
You can vote for the project here:
http://www.refresheverything.com/WalnutIowaSplashPad

Voting is allowed every day - so be sure to make this a regular online stop.

Goals of the project:

* To create a fun and entertaining splash pad for the youth of our town.
* To provide recreationals facilities for all members of our community.
* To create a place for families and neighbors of all ages to socialize.

Soup Cook-Off Fundraiser: Sat, February 20th

2010-02-17T11:35:00.001-06:00

Walnut Communications is again sponsoring a soup cook-off to raise funds for new textbooks for the school.

February 20th, 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the old gym. Tickets are $5 per person over 12 and can be purchased at the door.

More information at FriendsofWCS.com

7th Annual Alumni Weekend Scheduled for March 26-28, 2010

2010-02-04T10:29:00.003-06:00

The 7th Annual Dale Lynch Memorial Annual Weekend
March 26-28, 2010
Walnut High School

Details Here

Co-Ed Softball Tournament and Fireman's Parade August 22-23

2009-08-19T10:40:00.003-05:00

There will be a Co-Ed Softball Tournament August 22-23 at Memorial Park to raise money to build Logan's Little Field, a field dedicated to little leaguers. The field is scheduled to be built next spring at a cost of $12,500.

The 12-team tournament begins Saturday at 8:00 and Sunday at 1:00 after the Fireman's Parade and BBQ.

Wind Power: New Shade of Green Dominates Iowa Landscape, Part 2

2009-08-12T10:24:00.004-05:00

Walnut, Iowa, has always drawn a regular stream of visitors coming to shop in the proliferation of antique stores lining its quaintly picturesque downtown streets. But in recent months, tourists have also been pulling off Highway 80 just to get a closer look at the 102 monstrously huge wind turbines towering over Walnut. The 263-foot stem of the steel flowers surpasses the height of the Statue of Liberty's torch, with the 126-foot rotor blades extending their topmost reach closer to the heavens.

Wind Power: New Shade of Green Dominates Iowa Landscape

2009-08-11T09:21:00.002-05:00

...in Walnut, Iowa--a small town of 900 residents--it's clear that the arrival of a new green industry has had more far-reaching effects than simply the number of jobs directly created by the wind farm.

From Part one of a two-part Atlantic.com article:

A capricious Mother Nature, brandishing weapons of deluge, drought, scorching heat, and frost, has long possessed a power to destroy the livelihood of farming families populating small prairie towns like Walnut, Iowa. In a state where more than 85 percent of the land is devoted to agricultural purposes, talking about the weather represents a culturally-ingrained aspect of discourse. But these days the focus of that conversation is changing in Walnut, home to the state's newest large-scale wind farm.

"The conversation when you're out for coffee now is: 'You think the wind is blowing enough to get 'em going today?,'" Leo Rechtenbach says, referring to the 102 wind turbines that sprouted from fields and pastures of his rural community in the past year. Leo and his wife, Jeanette, belong to a growing population of Iowa wind farmers. These people don't actually have to perform any kind of sunburnt backbreaking toil resembling traditional farming; they just have to rent small parcels of their land to an energy company, then sit back and watch as the modernistic windmills shoot up from the earth like albino sunflowers hybridized with Jack's beanstalk.

17th Annual Optimist Antique Car Show

2009-07-31T10:52:00.000-05:00

The Walnut Optimist Club's Annual Antique City Car Show is always scheduled for the first Sunday in August. For 2009, that will be August 2nd. There are 27 Classes with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies and special awards given. There are also "Stock" and "Modified" classes for both autos and pickups with "Special Awards" for Best GM, Best Ford, Best MOPAR, and Best Other. The judging will be held on tree canopied Antique City Drive in Walnut.

Antique Show Blog Roundup

2009-06-23T09:00:00.008-05:00

A collection of blog posts and pictures from the 27th Annual AmVets Antique Show.

Blackbird-designs

Update from Walnut:

Well.....all I can say is it was wonderful. The entire main street of the town is closed down for the event. Vendors line up on both sides of the street, park their vans, trailers and campers and set up shop.
It rained two times during the weekend. But the vendors braved the weather and opened up again after each rain. Some of the vendors camp right there on the main street. The side streets are filled up as well as the street parallel to main street. If that's not enough for you, the school and VFW buildings are full too. I literally walked until I thought I would drop....and then went back for pictures.
Click Here for More...

SimplyIowa

A Simply Wonderful Weekend
I'M BACK! And Wow what a Show!

I had a fabulous show, met tons of wonderful folk, many fellow bloggers!!!! And, I'd do it all over again!

Read More Here...

Julie Reed

Father's Day at Walnut:

As the AmVets Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa is scheduled every year on Father's Day and I don't live close enough to my dad to visit for the day, I can't help but think of him as I peruse the different shops and vendor's booths at the show ~ especially as antique shopping is something we both enjoy. So, I thought, in honor of my dad I would do a post of things I saw that reminded me of him in some way or another.

CEVEGO

Walnut Iowa - Antique City

I've known for a while that there was this town off of I-80 where there were lots of antique stores, and while I'm not at a point where I'm buying stuff for my house anymore, I do enjoy an occasional stroll through an antique store and it's one of Iowa's travel/tourist detsinations. Hence, the stop in Walnut - Iowa's Antique City.
ell, I either picked the perfect weekend or the worst time to come to Walnut, depending on your thoughts on antiques. Just last week I heard there was a big "Antique Walk" going on with hundreds of dealers. Apparently I didn't grasp the enormity of this event, but I am not exaggerating when I say THE ENTIRE TOWN was COVERED with antique dealers; residential streets, church lawns/parking lots, the business district, ball fields .... It was antique-palooza craziness.

27th Annual AMVET's Antique Walk and Show

2009-06-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

June 19-21 , 2009

27th Annual AMVET's Antique Walk and Show

One of the finest antique shows in the midwest with more than 300 dealers of quality antiques and 50,000 visitors. This event is scheduled for Father's Day weekend every year.

Iowa's Antique City Event Page

Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend - March 27-29, 2009

2009-02-24T13:51:00.002-06:00

The sixth annual Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend has been scheduled for March 27-29, 2009.

The annual fundraiser in support of scholarships and programs benefiting Walnut Community School will kick off Friday evening at 5:30 with the Mike McCabe Tip-Off classic featuring all-star alumni teams from Harlan and Walnut.

Alumni basketball and volleyball tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday.

Alumni dance featuring Danger Kitty will be held Saturday March 28th, 8:00 pm at the Legion Hall

Visit FriendsofWCS.com for more details.

A Day Trip To Walnut - Gilded Bee Blog

2008-11-30T12:59:00.001-06:00

The Gilded Bee blog has some great photos from a September day trip to Walnut.

Gilded Bee - Day Trip to Walnut

Walnut plans antique Christmas Walk

2008-11-30T12:45:00.003-06:00

From the CB Daily Nonpareil:

WALNUT - The community of Walnut found its niche in society through their appreciation for longevity and uniqueness.
Known as a town that measures in yesterday's treasures, Walnut has been dubbed "Iowa's Antique City" since 1985. On average, 18 stores line Antique City Drive, the town's main street, attracting people from all over the world.
Antique collectors will have the opportunity to visit all the shops during the 27th Annual Antique Christmas Walk held this Friday through Sunday.
Strolling carolers, a Christmas tree festival, the "Goose Man" and free photos of Santa are just a few aspects that make up the walk.
While the Christmas Walk is Walnut's second biggest day to sell antiques, Hilligas said the intent is to create an old-fashioned shopping experience.

27th Annual Christmas Walk - November 28-30, 2008

2008-11-16T11:22:00.003-06:00

Walnut's oldest annual event. Enjoy traditions of Christmas past with antiques, fun, food, and festivities. This event is held every year on Thanksgiving Weekend.

27th Annual Walnut Christmas Walk

November Fri 28th, Sat 29th, and Sun 30th

Christmas Tree Festival: Walnut Welcome Center Friday & Saturday: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday: 12:30 - 4:00 PM

Friends & Family Tree at City Hall

Country School Museum: Open Friday & Saturday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.(Father Christmas appearing at 2:00PM) Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Lunch with AmVets: The AmVet Ladies will be serving vegetable beef soup, chili, and pie at the AmVet Hall Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Special Appearance:Omaha Prime barbershop quartet downtown Friday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM.

Special Appearance:Gooseman and his Dirty Dozen downtown Saturday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Special Appearance:Santa Claus downtown all weekend with free gifts for shoppers with receipt of purchase

Nick Deal Named 2008 IMCA National Modified Rookie of The Year

2008-11-16T11:18:00.002-06:00

In 2007, a 14-year-old from Walnut, Iowa, decided to try driving a race car. What he has accomplished in two short years has been nothing short of amazing.

Nick Deal made his racing debut in 2007 running in the pro stock class at I-80 Speedway. Because of his age, he agreed to start in the back until he could prove himself.

The results have been spectacular. Nick claimed 14 feature wins and was recently named the 2008 IMCA National Modified Rookie of the Year.

From the Omaha World Herald

Photos and Stats available at NickDealRacing.com

Sep 28 Sow-A-Seed/ Prior Attire Fall Style Show and Open House

2008-09-17T21:14:00.003-05:00

Sow-a-Seed/ Prior Attire Fall Style Show and Open House

Sow-a-Seed/ Prior Attire will be holding its Fall Style show at the Walnut Public Library on September 28, 2008 at 4pm. This will be in conjunction with her fall Open house being held the same day from 10am-5pm. The show is free.

Events Page

16th Annual Walnut Optimist Club's Antique City Car Show Aug 3rd, 2008

2008-07-25T10:53:00.002-05:00

The Walnut Optimist Club's Annual Antique City Car Show is always scheduled for the first Sunday in August. For 2008, that will be August 3rd. There are 27 Classes with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies and special awards given.

Walnut, Iowa - Iowa's Antique City Events Page

Walking in Walnut

2008-06-24T15:39:00.000-05:00

Antique show and walk draws 300 vendors, lots of shoppers

For antique vendors, and shoppers as well, two out of three weren’t bad. While Friday and Saturday offered breezy summer-like weather, the morning of the third day of the 26th annual AMVET’s Walnut Antique Walk started out with grey skies, rumbles of thunder and enough rain to make many vendors pack up: but that was all before 10 a.m. and by noon the sun was coming through the clouds again.

Atlantic News-Telegraph

CURIOUS SOFA Takes a Trip to Walnut

2008-06-19T22:28:00.002-05:00

I decided at the last minute Thursday night to drive up to Walnut, Iowa for the annual Fathers Day Weekend Antique Show.

Pearl and I get to Walnut and I was surprised to see that not one van was unloading but instead all dealers were waiting patiently in a row for the firehouse whistle to blow at 7 a.m. so they could begin setting up. Trust me, no other antique show has this kind of regimen. Promptly at 7 all Winnebagos, pick-ups and U-Hauls start their engines and marched in perfect harmony to their designated spot. I was amazed at the Swan Lake type orchestration of this event.

This was a nice write-up from a few years back that we missed. It shows a new perspective on how well-run this annual event is. A fact lost on many of us who take it for granted every year. Kudos to all involved in another excellent show.

Curious Sofa is a retail boutique located in Kansas City. Read more at this link...
CURIOUS SOFA Diaries: June 2006

The 26th Annual Walnut AMVETs Antique Show June 13-15

2008-06-12T22:34:00.002-05:00

The 26th Annual Walnut AMVETs Antique Show will continue the tradition. More than 300 dealers from across the United States will set up their booths, restocking daily with newly displayed items. If you haven't attended the Walnut AMVETs Antique Show, you will discover that this is the show to "find it and buy it."

Walnut's turn-of-the-century buildings, brick and tree-lined streets, country hospitality and existing malls and shops are the perfect setting for the show.

June 13-15, 2008

Father's Day Weekend

Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Walnut Antique Show Official Page

Obsession #1 ~ Antique Shows/Flea Markets

2008-05-28T07:19:00.001-05:00

Kansas City designer Julie Reed confesses her addiction to antique shows and shares some photos from her trip last year to the AMVETS Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa.

Obsession #1 ~ Antique Shows/Flea Markets

MidAmerican Plans Turbine Project Near Walnut

2008-05-21T09:42:00.001-05:00

A wind farm in Pottawattamie County would put 67 massive turbines in the northeast part of the county. The farm is just part of a larger strategy by Iowa's MidAmerican Energy to harness the power of wind.

MidAmerican said the area chosen near Walnut is prime for wind harvesting."They've done a lot of tests to make sure this works out or not. In some cases, you think you have a lot of wind, but you ain't got the proper wind," King said.

Wind Power To Spring Up In NE Pott. Co. - Omaha Weather News Story - KETV Omaha

Rediscover Walnut - Spring Fling and Flower Sale Saturday May 10th

2008-04-30T15:35:00.004-05:00

Saturday May 10th. Walnut, Iowa's Antique City, will be welcoming spring with the annual Spring Fling event and flower sale.

5th Annual Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend

2008-03-28T10:04:00.001-05:00

The 5th Annual Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend kicks off tonight (March 28th) with the open Dodgeball Tournament at 5:30 PM at the Walnut High School.

Dale Lynch Alumni Weekend

Friends of WCS Project Update

2008-03-20T07:21:00.004-05:00

The Friends of WCS volunteers have been busy updating the appearance of our school as part of the Facilities Facelift Project. Many items included in this project are scheduled to be completed in time for the Dale Lynch Memorial Alumni Weekend activities beginning on Friday March 28, 2008.

Earl Caddock, 1888-1950 Heavyweight Champion of the World

2008-03-01T15:59:00.000-06:00

Earl Caddock World Champion Professional Wrestler

In 1917, the heavyweight champion of the world was Earl Caddock, a handsome young man who was raised on a farm near Walnut, Iowa. He won three AAU national titles in the years 1915-1916 (winning two weights in 1916), and was never beaten in 53 amateur bouts.

Caddock Defeats Stecher

April 9, 1917

Caddock was 29. He had been a resident of the Walnut area since, at 14, he had come to live with an uncle, Isaac Brown, who farmed near Berea, Ia.

He took the world title from the great Joe Stecher in Omaha. The epic match lasted nearly three hours, with each man winning a pin fall and Stecher declaring he was too exhausted to continue for the third and deciding fall.

World War I

His popularity soared when he stepped up and volunteered to fight in World War I, when no other professional athletes were doing so.

“Before the draft law was in effect, Caddock, with his title and all, reported at the recruiting office and volunteered his services at the call of his countrymen. He was rejected after careful medial examination because of his tonsils. This, however, did not deter Caddock for long. He left the same night for Rochester, Minnesota, called on the famed Mayo Brothers at their sanitarium, and had them perform a tonsil operation, and then returned to Des Moines less than a week later and this time was accepted.

Caddock saw plenty of action, fighting in foxholes in France, and was injured by an attack with mustard gas.

Stecher Defeats Caddock

BUT CADDOCK was never quite the same after he returned home from the war. In another epic match, he faced off against Stecher on January 30, 1920, in New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. All 14,000 tickets sold out in a few days and the match was the No. 1 sports event of the year. Stecher had served in the navy during World War I and the Army escorted Caddock into the ring while the Navy led Stecher.

The match was sensational. The two warriors squared off in long black tights – two Midwestern farm boys back from the war to see who was the best wrestler in the entire world. Caddock was still unbeaten, and Stecher had still just one loss to his name.

The match went back and forth, with Caddock scoring the most takedowns and Stecher proving he was the best on the mat. Eventually, Stecher’s greater size (he weighed in at 205 to Caddock’s 188) and the mustard gas damage wore Caddock down. After two hours and three minutes, Stecher caught Caddock in a half nelson and body scissors and turned him to his back. Caddock bridged valiantly, but was finally pinned. It was the first loss of his entire career!

Footage from the January 30th, 1920 match at the second Madison Square Garden in New York City has survived and although grainy and low quality can be seen below. Stecher pinned Caddock in 2:05:00

Earl Caddock, 1888-1950 @ iagenweb.org

Des Moines Register Article

Walnut Community Meeting Monday Feb 4th

2008-02-03T11:21:00.000-06:00

The Walnut CSD is conducting a community meeting on February 4, to discuss the current educational programs at Walnut and the partial day sharing programs with Atlantic.

The goal of the evening will be to provide current information: enrollment data, testing data, financial data, sharing with Atlantic, and staff information to the community. Small group discussions will be facilitated by board members and administration to help promote communication. A supper and child care will be provided to encourage all community members to attend. To help plan for the meeting, you are requested to RSVP to Patty Kay by Friday, February 1. Please call the school at 784-2251 to indicate your needs for child care. The board is hopeful of a large community turn-out to help planning for the future of the school district.

More details available at FriendsofWCS.com

Antique Doors as a Dressing Screen

2008-01-28T13:54:00.000-06:00

When we finished our basement, I took a vow that I would not clutter up my living room with any electronics. But we did have a nice stereo system that would come in handy for entertaining or just background music while hanging out reading a book or cleaning. I came up with the idea to make a screen and hide it. I went to a surplus antique shop in Walnut, Iowa that is full of furniture and fixtures from old houses. I came across these doors for $35 a piece and couldn't be happier with them!

Antique Doors as a Dressing Screen

Blum Hand Planes - A Great Design

2008-01-10T15:18:00.000-06:00

Continuing the theme started a few days ago of rave reviews for local businesses, I present this from Dennis Perkins at Woodworking Online:

As I was stepping out to do a seminar on hand planes and scrapers at the Woodsmith Store last week, I noticed a couple of new items on Randy’s desk. He had just received two new planes from the Blum Tool Company, a small firm in Walnut, Iowa.

I’ve seen good-looking wooden planes before and been a little disappointed.
After setting everything up for the seminar, I had a little time to spare. So I dug out the instructions on the Blum planes and gave them a quick glance. I wasn’t planning on doing an extensive setup or anything, but I wanted to at least see how they worked. After all, they had a different design from anything I’d ever tried before.

After five minutes of tweaking the smoother, I was taking whisper-thin shavings off a birdseye maple board. Okay, now they had my full attention. I already liked the way they felt in my hand (very light weight with a comfortable tote), and clearly they were serious tools—not just eye candy.

Link to Woodworking Online

One of the Best Sandwiches, Ever

2008-01-10T12:43:00.000-06:00

Ontario writer James Bow blogs about [re]discovering a world-class sandwich at the Villager in Walnut, Iowa.

"The Villager is a locally owned restaurant outside of Walnut, Iowa — apparently a town specializing in antique shops — which is clearly popular with the locals.

...The local dish I tried was a beef brisket sandwich, which came as a third of a pound of juicy beef, chopped into hunks, smoked pink and served on a roll. It was an impressive sandwich, especially when combined with the barbecue sauce that was supplied.

...I urge anybody on I-80, heading for Omaha, to take a meal break at Walnut, Iowa

...I’m pleased that I can count some really special sandwiches among my life experience, that I can genuinely recommend to anybody looking for something to remember. These include the tongue sandwich at Moe Pancers’ Deli on Bathurst Street in Toronto (no, I’m serious, try the tongue!), the burnt-ends sandwich at Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City and now the beef briskit at the Villager in Walnut, Iowa."

We can forgive James the downtown snub, a trip from Lincoln to Ontario doesn't leave much time for antique shopping, after all. Plus, how can one really criticize a man with such an affection for the simple pleasure of a good sandwich?

One of the Best Sandwiches, Ever - Bow. James Bow.

Video Highlights from 2007 Walnut Warrior Football

2008-01-09T15:49:00.000-06:00

Video highlights of Walnut Warriors' district championship season in Iowa eight-man football action have been posted on the Friends of Walnut Community School website.

Click Here for the Video

From : www.FriendsofWCS.com

Iowa Caucus frustration CNN Video

2008-01-09T14:58:00.000-06:00

I-Reporter Kathy Barger describes her experience at a caucus in Walnut, Iowa in a call in to CNN during the Iowa caucuses.

Follow this link for to findinternettv.com then follow the link to the video on CNN.com (It seems that CNN has made it difficult to link directly to the story)

Click here for the CNN Video

A New Year - A New Blog

2008-01-09T10:48:00.000-06:00

Its in with the new out with the old time again. As the beginning of a full site revamp I will be reorganizing many of the various and sundry blogs into a more logical structure. This is where you will find any interesting tidbits regarding Walnut, Iowa which can be found on the web (if you were inclined to search for hours.)