A full moon, cascading lights, chocolate satin linens, fine china and crystal combined for a luxurious occasion. A tiered stand displays tea sandwiches, including Tina’s fabulous chicken salad, as well as decadent desserts that keep your intrigued. Conversations lull and eyes light up when the plate of signature scones is placed on the table, served with lemon curd and sweet jams.
     The enjoyment can be seen on the smiling faces at each table and heard in the rich ambience, ideal for women’s groups, corporate luncheons, office parties and any special celebrations. Memorable monthly tea parties, such as Murder Mysteries,
     Hypnotists, and Comedians area a favorite. The tea room is like having friends and family over for tea in our home…We feel very privileged and blessed.

Reservations recommended. Please contact 515-707-9621.

     Hay bales dotting the rolling hills of Lucas County in southern Iowa is a common site, but in late summer the bales begins to take the shape of teddy bears, wine bottles, cupcakes, flower pots and even women’s shoes. 
     The hay transformation is part of a hay bale art contest coord

inated by Lucas County Tourism. 
    According to Lucas County Tourism Board Member, Lyle Asell, who spearheaded the first annual event in 2012, the hay bale art contest is expected to be an annual event. 
   “The positive response and enthusiasm for the first event was encouraging,” said Asell, “We received seventeen registrations for the 2012 hay bale contest and many inquiries from those who plan to participate in future contests.”

   Asell says the contest is open to anyone interested in being creative. “The hay bale art committee connects those without their own supply of hay with a hay supplier,” adds Asell. 
    The 2012 hay bale art contest began with a kick-off event on October 1 when Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director, Chuck Gipp, traveled to Lucas County to join Chariton Mayor Roger Manser, and Chariton High School’s 2012 homecoming king and queen, Matt Schultz and Kylie Bengston as celebrity hay bale art judges.  
   The contest is divided into a youth category and an adult category. There is also a People’s Choice Award in which the general public is invited to vote for their favorite hay bale art. Maps identifying hay art locations are made available at participating businesses. In 2012, more than 600 ballots were cast throughout the month of October for the People’s Choice Award. After allowing a full month for voting, winners are revealed the first of November. 
    Bill Northey and Chuck Gipp both agreed that the contest is a great way to highlight the benefits of hay production in southern Iowa and they look forward to what contest participants create with hay in future years. 
     In 2012, a drummer teddy bear constructed using both large and small bales was unanimously selected as the winner by all celebrity judges. The teddy bear made a clean sweep receiving the most votes in the People’s Choice Award as well. 
   Asell says hay bale art can be made from large round or square bales, small bales, or loose hay, “Ideas are only as limited as a person’s imagination.” 
    There are few rules to compete in the hay bale art contest, such as only non-oil based paints can be used as well as it is requested that borrowed hay be returned to the farmers in condition to feed their livestock. 
   In addition to providing the material for the hay bale art, there are many benefits of hay production. The hay and pasture protect Iowa soils from erosion. In most cases, erosion is less than one ton per acre per year where hay and pasture are grown. Unlike corn and soybeans, alfalfa and grass cover the surface of the ground like a blanket. When runoff occurs on

 hay fields, the vegetative mat helps hold the soil in place. 

   Hay and pasture also help maintain a diverse farm economy.

   Cows, sheep, and goats can convert grass from highly erodible lands into meat, milk, and fiber. Most pasture and hay is consumed by beef cows and their calves. 
   Lucas County ranks fourth in Iowa in beef cow numbers. The industry impacts many businesses, including auction markets, feed sales, trucking, and veterinarians. Hay is also a profitable cash crop as hay prices have increased as less acres in Iowa are available. 
   Local agricultural, conservation, and water quality organizations and agencies are among the many sponsors of the annual hay bale art contest. 
   For more information, visit lucascountytourism.org

     HHPHM is a nationally recognized event, by the American Hospital Association, as a vital link to “community Connection” across the nation.  Receiving national recognition for its work in bringing mental health services to the financially disadvantaged, LCHC is committed to carrying on the tradition to raise funds for this much needed service, as well as to continue educating the community on the link between physical and mental health.

     Held in conjunction with Chariton High School’s Homecoming, event coordinators always look forward to CHS alumni participating and running or walking with their former classmates.

     Each year, the HHPHM event begins at LCHC with a children’s race, which is followed by participants either running the 5K distance or walking the 1 mile distance.  Those who run or walk receive special event t-shirts, and children receive participation ribbons.  Refreshments are enjoyed after the event while awards for each age division and door prizes are given away.

     Celebrating 10 years of the 5K, LCHC Counseling Services will be looking to make this year’s event even more special with new events being added to the day.

     Those who participate in the event are helping provide services to those in need as LCHC’s Counseling Services department provides individual, group, and family therapy.  The staff includes board certified adult and child psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

     Treatment is offered for mental health concerns ranging from chronic illness to short-term reactions to stress and/or change.    LCHC Counseling Services also treats substance abuse and addictive behaviors alone or as part of a dual diagnosis.

     Not everyone who drinks alcohol or uses mood-altering drugs becomes addicted.  However, when symptoms of addiction or related problems begin to occur, they are often ignored and blamed on other things such as changes in family relationships, health or work.

     In some cases, people either don’t recognize the symptoms for what they are, or they are too embarrassed to ask for help.  Many times, they do not know that help is available closer to home and potentially free of charge if the need is there – thanks to the proceeds from the annual 5K run/walk.  To help LCHC’s Counseling Services continue to make a difference in the mental health of its community, be sure to sign up for the 2013 event, or become a sponsor and donate to the cause.

     The date for the 10th anniversary 5K in September 2013 will be the Saturday following Chariton High School’s Homecoming game.  Until that date is announced, those interested in registering for the event, becoming a sponsor, or donating items as giveaways and door prizes may contact Shannon James at 641.774.3274.  More information about LCHC’s Counseling Services may be found by visiting www.lchcia.com.

 On this tour you will visit the Yoke S Ranch, Hunter’s Tree Farm, Hunter’s Smokehouse. Tree Farm, visit a pumpkin patch, Smokehouse and  taste a variety of farm fresh specialty items, and see first hand how Amish families live.

 This tour is a visual, learning, and tasty experience!  This tour is also seasonal from September to October.

 

     Located one mile east of Chariton on Hwy 34, perched on top of the hill, stands a “Big Buffalo” welcoming you to the Frontier Trading Post. Here you can find a little something for everyone.

     One of the largest gift stores in southern Iowa, known for their super low prices, The Trading Post offers everything from western belts and purses, primitives, barn wood furniture, to tools, knives and more. Home of the Lucas County Welcome Center, visitors can find snacks, drinks, free coffee, restrooms, picnic area, playground and local tourist information.

     Hook, Line and Sinker bait and tackle shop is the place for fishing enthusiasts, sporting a large variety of pools, reels, tackle, nets, catfish bait, live minnows, worms and more.

     If you like to search for treasures in the rough, the antique barn is the place for you. It’s filled with lots of antique tools, farm tools, collectibles, records, furniture, rust, dust and pure junk.

     To top off your visit to the Frontier Trading Post, head over to the Soda Pop Saloon. Every Saturday night April through October, you can find live music, dinner and dancing in our non-alcoholic venue. Decked out with the western décor and soda pop memories, the saloon is a delight for all ages.

     With lots to offer visitors of all ages, make sure you stop at the Frontier Trading Post during your visit to Chariton.

     Southern Iowa is home to a diverse agriculture, which is very evident at the “Taste of Southern Iowa” local food banquet and food fair, held in Chariton each September.  This year’s banquet will be held at Carpenter’s Hall on September 17, starting at 5:30 pm.  The event features a buffet supper that showcases food grown in south central Iowa, local vendor displays with taste testing and sales of local products, and a social hour featuring wines and beers produced in Iowa.  The event is sponsored and supported by Tourism Lucas County, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and the South Central Iowa Area Partnership.

     Iowa producers are proud of what they produce, and use sustainable practices to offer healthy food to local consumers.   Many sell their produce and meats at local farmers markets, through internet sales, and through the Iowa Food Cooperative.  Livestock farmers use pasture- production systems to produce lean meats and to keep grass on the land to protect our soil and water.  Local vegetable growers use new technologies like high tunnel greenhouses and hydroponic production to offer their produce throughout the year.  Other food entrepreneurs produce added value products including breads, pies, jams and jellies, and salsa.

     With a meal featuring natural Berkshire pork, grass fed and grain fed beef, pasture reared chicken, and fruits and vegetables grown in south central Iowa, the banquet and vendor offerings have something for everyone. Meet local growers, experience a magical taste sensation, and learn how to get healthy Iowa grown foods year round – come to the “Taste of Southern Iowa”, September 17, 2013.  For more information call Joe Sellers, 641-203-1270; Thelma Saxton, 641-895-1189; or Linda Baines 641-774-3226

     The is a small group of women and men who have attended the Iowa State University Master Gardener course or who just love flowers and making areas attractive for the whole community. The members meet quarterly to plan and carry out activities that make the towns public areas more eye appealing.

     Meeting are held the last Monday of January, April, July and October at 5:15 p.m. at the Chariton Chamber/Main Street Office and special educational seminars are announced as planned.

     If you love volunteering and your interest is learning and beautification you are invited to join this group by calling 641-774-4785.