Ray Rannfeldt.

1. Riddle: I am straight up and down, and on the west end of Main Street. I end with “ink” with no “k” but a “g”. I follow Long without the “g” plus an “s”. What business am I?

(Hint: If you back up, I’ll be there.)

2. Miracle on Main is Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Look for Miracle Drops! On Saturday, the library will have Letters to Santa and guest readers.

3. Make sure you are riding safely by coming to the bike rodeo on Main Street at 9 a.m. on Nov. 7. It’s for bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and skateboards. You are likely to learn something. Be safe!

4. Veterans’ Day Activities: Veterans Day is the 11th. Honor those who served for all of us. The G-R H.S. will be holding a Veterans Day remembrance on Nov. 11 with breakfast at 8:30 in the high school cafeteria. A ceremony will follow with students, veterans and a guest speaker. The public is invited. Westview is hosting an ice-cream social to honor our veterans. The event is 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Nov. 11. G-R’s 5th grade choir will be performing patriotic songs. There’s always room for ice cream, right? There will be a veterans’ appreciation dinner at 705 F. Ave., Grundy Center. It’s Nov. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s free!

5. St. Gabriel’s church on T55 will have their annual cookie/candy walk on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9-11 a.m. Wow, what a selection of holiday yummies! Large boxes $15, small boxes $8. Prefilled Boxes $17/$10. Too good to miss!

6. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Here’s a brush-up on your Thanksgiving history: The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and suffered through a brutal winter that killed nearly one-third of them. The neighboring Native tribe showed the remaining Pilgrims how to cultivate the land, resulting in a harvest feast in 1621 that we now call Thanksgiving.

7. Reinbeck t-shirts can still be had at $10 each. An inexpensive Christmas gift for Reinbeck friends/family/neighbors and those out-of-town Reinbeckians. Just fold them into an envelope and mail. Contact rannfeldt@yahoo.com. Show your community pride! When ordered again, the price will increase to $15 each.

(A stick)

8. Bingo!!! Someone’s going to shout it. Let it be you on Nov. 13, American Legion Room at 4:30. You may as well be the winner.

9. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot, it’s not too late. The Reinbeck Pharmacy makes it quick and easy. And, you get a free bandage!

10. How many remove their window screens during the winter months? Believe it or not, screens can reduce light coming into your house by at least 30%. Let the sun in!

(It’s a miracle cure)

11. Did you know that in January (less than 2 months from now) dawn won’t be until 7:30 a.m. or later? Yuk! Think spring!

12. Does “panacea” mean miracle cure, doctors’ oath, or an herbal supplement?

(#10 end)

13. Wanna be savvy on your devices? Teen Tech at our library Nov. 11, 3:30-6 p.m. Learn what all the buttons are for from people in the know. You likely don’t know what you don’t know! Mark your calendars!

14. Try using your leaf blower to remove light snowfalls on your driveways, sidewalks, and decks. It takes much less effort and is easier on your back.

15. For the young at heart: What do you call a boomerang that won’t come back?

(end of #7)

Local author and historian Ray Rannfeldt is curator of the Reinbeck History Museum housed inside The CEC of Reinbeck. His newsletter “Front and Back” is published twice per month with the goal of informing the community and creating conversations. Information is for entertainment. Use at your own discretion. For more information, contact Rannfeldt at rannfeldt@yahoo.com.