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Cedar Rapids Gazette

partner publisher · 637 followers
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Cedar Rapids ventriloquist treated with jokes on Halloween

CEDAR RAPIDS — You’ve got to work for your goodies when trick-or-treating at the Naughtons’ house. Dennis Naughton, a Cedar Rapids lawyer and a semi-professional ventriloquist, has kids tell a joke in exchange for a treat. He’s been doing that for around a decade, with some families telling him their kids pick out and practice their jokes in advance of Halloween. Naughton already is jittery at 4:30 p.m. Halloween night. Dressed in a Revolutionary War costume repurposed from the America 250 celebration, his eyes dart to the window as he waits for the first trick-or-treater to arrive. His skeleton assistant, Bonehead, sits ready on his stool on the Naughtons’ front porch on Grand Avenue SE. Bonehead is a bit of a mess. His head is a different color from his body, his jaw sits at an angle and his eyes bulge in two different directions. He’s oddly endearing, as if he’s used to being the butt of the joke himself. When visitors arrive, Naughton pulls a metal grip in Bonehead’s rib cage, and the skeleton explains the rules for a treat in a grating voice. Some kids aren’t sure how to approach Bonehead. One tiny toddler dressed as a minion

Cedar Rapids, IA · 9d

The Coconut Mama

partner publisher · 39.9K followers
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Iowa neighborhood grocery store to close after costs outpace sales

A small Iowa grocery store created to bring affordable, healthy food to an underserved neighborhood will close on December 18 after nearly five years. Its shutdown adds a very local…

Cedar Rapids, IA · 12d

travelmag.com

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This Iowa Amish Bulk Food And General Store Has A Bakery Worth The Early Drive This Fall

Raspberry cream cheese rolls, Amish donuts, and a loaf of bread with bacon, egg, and cheese baked right inside. That lineup alone deserves a spot on your weekend plans. The bakery shares space with a full Amish bulk food and general store. Spices, flours, jams, homemade candies, toys, and fabric all fill the same small shop.

Montour, IA · 10d
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KCRG.com

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A Look Inside The Backrooms Haunted House in Marion

We got a look inside a Marion home transformed in a haunted house! The FREE attraction is open October 30 and 31 from 5-9 p.m. at 405 W. 33rd Avenue in Marion.

Marion, IA · 10d
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fb101.com

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Iowa's Valerie Knospe Wins Hardee's 2026 National Biscuit Baker Competition

Fifty-two biscuits. Fifteen minutes. One national title on the line. That was the gauntlet facing the finalists at Hardee's 2026 National Biscuit Baker Competition—and when the flour settled, it was Valerie Knospe of West Union, Iowa, standing at the top. Hardee's, the quick-service brand synonymous with its Made From...

West Union, IA · 9d

visitmasoncityiowa.com

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Festive Farmstead's Halloween Musical Light Show

Watch Festive Farmstead come alive with thousands of lights synchronized to Halloween music! Park and tune in to our FM station, and enjoy the show from your vehicle, or watch from our outdoor viewing area. This even is family-friendly and completely FREE! No hayride ticket is needed to enjoy the light show.

Mason City, IA · 9d

travelmag.com

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10 Iowa Pizza Places That Locals Swear Serve The Best Slices In The State

Ask around Iowa about the best pizza, and you may accidentally start an argument. That is partly because everyone seems to mean something different by “good pizza.”. In Marshalltown, crisp square cuts have generations of fans. Davenport does long strips. Des Moines somehow made Crab Rangoon work on a...

Iowa · 21d

travelmag.com

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This Iowa Shopping Mall Has A Massive Haunted Attraction Hiding Inside

A shopping mall in Iowa hides a haunted sanitorium spanning approximately 6,000 square feet. It sits just inside a regular mall entrance, across from a nail salon. That combination alone made me do a double take. The scares come wrapped in an original story. Guests wander through a forest lost...

Cedar Rapids, IA · 11d

cbs2iowa.com

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Hometown Eats: The Blind Pig brings big flavors to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Blind Pig is serving up burgers, sandwiches and other American favorites on Cedar Rapids’ northeast side. One of the restaurant’s best-known dishes is its breaded pork tenderloin. The Iowa Pork Producers named it one of Iowa’s top five tenderloins in 2020.

Cedar Rapids, IA · 11d

Radio Iowa

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South Tama teacher is recognized for her work in the dramatic arts

A central Iowa teacher will be inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame during a special event at the University of Northern Iowa next month. Dixie Forcht is a teacher and librarian at South Tama Community School District and is also the high school’s theatre director. Forcht says she’s thrilled to be included.

Cedar Falls, IA · 9d

Dickson County Source

partner publisher · 5.1K followers

52 Biscuits in 15 Minutes Earns Iowa Baker $10,000 Hardee’s Title

Valerie Knospe of West Union, Iowa, won the 2026 Hardee’s National Biscuit Baker Competition and its $10,000 first prize. She advanced through a series of local and regional rounds to reach the four-person national finals, which took place in October. One of the other finalists was a Tennessee baker from Hardee’s in Dayton. More Business News.

West Union, IA · 10d

krna.com

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Brain & Courtlin End Listener Lunch 2026 at a Brand New Supper Club

We only have ONE more month of Listener Lunch in 2026, and we're ending the year with another new Corridor restaurant!. After a wonderful October full of delicious food from Mercury in Cedar Rapids, it's time for us to move onto our final 2026 lunch destination. Every Tuesday in November, we'll be enjoying lunch at...

Cedar Rapids, IA · 11d

radioonthego.com

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Clarksville Fire Department Plans Omelet Breakfast and Raffle

The Clarksville Fire Department will host its annual omelet breakfast Sunday, November 8, from 8 a.m. until noon in the Clarksville school lunchroom.The menu includes made-to-order omelets, hash browns, toast and drinks. Meals are available for a freewill donation, with all proceeds going toward equipment for a new fire truck....

Clarksville, IA · 10d

Fabulous Iowa

partner publisher · 40 followers

Big Grove Brewery Unveils Holiday Pop-Up

Big Grove Brewery is bringing a new holiday experience to Iowa this November with the debut of A Very Merry Big Grove. The post Big Grove Brewery Unveils Holiday Pop-Up appeared first on Fabulous Iowa .

Iowa City, IA · 12d

Local 4 WHBF

partner publisher · 15.9K followers

Rock Falls Tourism announces winners of Halloween House Decorating Contest

Rock Falls Tourism just wrapped up its fifth annual Halloween House Decorating Contest, according to a news release. Seven houses participated:

Rock Falls, IA · 9d

hometowncurrent.com

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Branson star Doug Gabriel brings variety show home to Iowa

When Doug Gabriel was coming of age in the 1970s, “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” was a staple in his Cedar Rapids home. The variety show left quite an impact on him. “We grew up on Sonny and Cher,” Gabriel said while calling from his home in Branson, Missouri. “They had some great skits and fantastic songs. We loved watching that show and other variety shows, as well as the Dean Martin roasts. It was a good time since there were so many different types of entertainment that were part of those shows. It was an amazing era.”

Branson, MO · 12d

951thebull.com

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October is Pork Month, Affordable Option at the Meat Counter

Joanne Tupper is with the Chickasaw County Pork Producers Association. She says pork is a nutritious, affordable option at the grocery store. Tupper says their pork promotional efforts include visits to New Hampton fourth grade students, many who meet a pig face-to-face for the first time. In addition to the...

Chickasaw County, IA · 9d

Cedar Rapids Gazette

partner publisher · 637 followers

Big Grove announces holiday pop-up for Iowa locations

IOWA CITY — Iowa’s largest brewery is keeping spirits bright with a new holiday pop-up experience this year. “A Very Merry Big Grove,” an immersive experience, will run in all four of its Iowa taprooms — Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Solon and Iowa City — from November through Jan. 5. The experience will roll out on a staggered schedule: Des Moines taproom opens Nov. 10.Cedar Rapids taproom opens Nov. 12.Solon taproom opens Nov. 16.Iowa City taproom opens Nov. 24. Each one will undergo floor-to-ceiling transformations where guests can expect “over-the-top” holiday decor, twinkling lights, festive energy, games and giveaways, in addition to holiday fare, special craft brews and cocktails, and ongoing holiday events. "We wanted to create a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable space where our communities can gather and celebrate the holidays." said Matthew Swift, CEO of Big Grove. "Whether you’re stopping in for a festive beer after work or gathering with family and friends for a holiday celebration, 'A Very Merry Big Grove' is built to bring people together in a big way all season long. There will be nothing like this of this scale in these communities.” Reservations for tables are recommended in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City

Iowa City, IA · 12d

KCRG.com

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WAGNER TAILS: Debo and Rocky

CEDAR RAPIDS & DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) - Fun loving and energetic. Debo arrived at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control as part of an animal abuse case. Debo is getting restless at the shelter, and he’s ready to show off his silly side. Debo loves playing with toys. This...

Cedar Rapids, IA · 10d

travelmag.com

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This Iowa Pie Shop Brings Back A Special Sweet Potato Pie Just In Time For November

A sweet potato pie that only shows up in November and December? That short window alone makes me want to mark a calendar. The bakery behind it has been rolling crust since 1986. It started by supplying local restaurants and vending companies before customers ever walked through its current door.

Cedar Rapids, IA · 13d