West Liberty, Iowa - Building Together

Embarking on a journey through community development and endeavors, we have Jake Burroughs, the School Board President, providing us with exciting updates about the West Liberty school and the new athletic complex. Curiosity piqued about school district communication, the elections, or professional development? We're addressing them all here, complete with a nod to the county auditor for their commendable work.As we move along, we plunge into city updates, elections, and a touch of festivity with fall events. Our fellow panelist, William, is all hands on deck preparing for a thrilling Halloween trail, while, on another note, we find ourselves knee-deep in strategic planning as the budget season looms. We also bring to light the challenges in nursing recruitment at the Simpson Memorial Home, discussing issues like workforce availability and agency wages. And if you've ever wanted to make a difference, learn how the community, volunteers, and even you can lend a hand.Wrapping up, we delve into community programs and economic developments, highlighting a recent partnership with St. Joseph's Church for a noble cause - Lucha Antifraude. We then steer the conversation towards the Muscatine County Housing Summit and the crucial Muscatine County Housing Study. And for a fun twist, join us as we share a chuckle or two about German sushi and the amusing concept of a nursing home league. So, buckle up for an episode filled with hearty discussions, insights, and a dash of humor.

Join us for an enthralling journey as we bring together a vibrant ensemble of West Liberty's finest. Chief Werling steers the conversation by unveiling the latest police department updates, all the way from sprucing up the police squad cars to managing traffic issues. We also have the McFerrins, Clifford, Cara,  and their son William, who walk us through their commendable heritage and community projects. And that's not all; local residents Cara Calvin McFerrin, Charles Brooke, Allie Paarsmith, and Stephanie Vallez share their unique perspectives on all things West Liberty.This episode takes a fascinating detour as we indulge in the riveting tales of young William McFerron, who's been busy restoring a downtown steam engine. Prepare to be captivated as William recounts his adventures of firing up the engine last Halloween. We also dissect the ongoing changes in West Liberty, focusing on the growth of local businesses and the importance of walking and biking trails for improving our community's quality of life. Don't miss out as we discuss the Meadows and Dumont-Dutton subdivisions and the annexation of Wiele Chevrolet into the city!Finally, we turn the spotlight to the annual Chamber of Commerce golf tournament and some fantastic changes brewing in our local library. Mark your calendars for the upcoming community events, including puppet shows at Rendezvous Park as part of the Children's Festival and the vibrant Fiesta Latina on Calhoun Street. We end on a high note with a profound conversation with Jack Kraus about the sense of community in West Liberty and the area's booming business growth. So tune in, sit back, and take a thorough tour of our beloved town!

Ever wondered how a small community can transform into a bustling hub of development and celebration? We're here to bring you a closer look at the vibrant transformation of West Liberty with a whirlwind of new constructions, community events and school district updates. We've got a lot to cover from the Fair Parade and the adrenaline rush of skydiving and gymnastics adventures to discussions on the tornado that hit the north side of town and the rousing success of our Father’s Day Car Show.   We've had our hands full with numerous construction projects reshaping West Liberty. From the new Rainbow Drive housing development to the Prairie Street and Short Street projects, and the Meadows project as well. All these initiatives are not only expanding our infrastructure, but also our community spirit and potential. We also touch upon the jubilant events in July, the All-Class Reunion, Picnic in the Park, and our beloved Muscatine County Fair Parade, and of course...RAGBRAI.   In the latter half of our episode, we get into the meat of our school district updates, community events, and some exhilarating new ventures. We'll throw some light on the progression of the golf event, the elementary school ELC addition, the athletic complex and even the school board elections. Moreover, we've got some interesting news on the high school auditorium renovation, new LED lights for the athletic field, the renovation of historic buildings, and the riveting idea of 3D printing houses. Amidst all this, we did find ourselves in a bit of chaos following the election outcome, but hey, nothing that a good old blueberry muffin can't smooth out! So, come along and join this thrilling journey of transformation and development here in West Liberty.

Join us on this exciting journey where we uncover the essence of community improvement, the power of collective efforts, and the joy of simple pleasures in West Liberty! Your favorite panelists, Mayor Ethan Anderson, Clifford McFerren, Heather Wiseman, Jake Burroughs, Allie Paarsmith, Xiomara Levsen, Charles Brooke and Ken Brooks, come together to share inspiring stories, enlightening experiences, and a glimpse into our upcoming activities. We delve into the significance of beautification projects, the city's role in encouraging improvement initiatives, and the anticipation that surrounds the Ragbrai event. Imagine the thrill of designing a submarine out of propane tanks, the exhilaration of yachting, or the euphoria of participating in a chainsaw party and grilling event! Our panelists bring these unique experiences to life by sharing their personal stories and insights. We also highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of our school district administrators, the noteworthy progress of the ELC project, and the impact of our library summer reading program. In our zest to make each day memorable, we don't miss out on the exciting events lined up in West Liberty. From the Muscatine County Fair Parade to the big shindig at Kimberly Park, we have an array of activities waiting to be explored.  So, why wait? Immerse yourself in the happenings of West Liberty and be a part of our vibrant community!

Welcome to our May 2023 episode of Building Together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:Eric Werling, Chief, West Liberty Police DepartmentKrista Lanier, MidwestOne BankMelody Henderson, All School Reunion CommitteeJake Burroughs, President, West Liberty Community Schools BoardXiomara Levsen, West Liberty Index,Charles Brooke, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Ken Brooks, West Liberty Economic Area Development Corp. Get ready for an action-packed episode as we discuss the latest happenings in West Liberty this summer, from the RAGBRAI page in the West Liberty Index to Melody Henderson and the all-school reunion. We've got the inside scoop on the fair schedule for Muscatine County and Cedar County, and how you can pick up a copy of the Index for all the details.In this episode, we also take a look at some important updates from the school district, including the progress on the ELC addition to the elementary school, the athletic complex, and the voucher program. We'll celebrate the success of the boy's soccer team and discuss the new iJag program that's been allocated a million dollars. Plus, we'll examine House File 206 and how it allows individuals under 21 to be licensed as teachers with the proper credentials.Join us as we explore the work of Chief Werling and the West Liberty Police Department in supporting the community. Learn about their preparations for RAGBRAI, the Fair and the Fair Parade, as well as the training they're doing. We also discuss the Sequential Intercept Model, a group that focuses on better serving children in the juvenile justice system. And if that's not enough, Chief Werling shares his involvement with the Early Childhood of Iowa Board, how he provides security audits and training for the community, and his secret hobby of baking cookies. Don't miss this informative and entertaining episode!

Welcome to our May 2023 episode of Building Together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:West Liberty Mayor Ethan AndersonHeather Wisman, MidwestOne BankJake Burroughs, President, West Liberty Community Schools BoardXiomara Levsen, West Liberty Index,Charles Brooke, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Ken Brooks, West Liberty Economic Area Development Corp. 

Welcome to our April 2023 episode of Building Together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:Muscatine Mayor Dr. Brad BarkWest Liberty Mayor Ethan AndersonClifford McFerren, Simpson Memorial Home,Heather Wisman, MidwestOne BankKurt Kirchner, Muscatine County SupervisorXiomara Levsen, West Liberty Index,Charles Brooke, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Ken Brooks, West Liberty Economic Area Development Corp. 

Welcome to our March 2023 episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:Clifford McFerren, Administrator, Simpson Memorial HomeXiomara Levsen, Editor, West Liberty IndexDavid Haugland, City Manager, City of West LibertyHeather Wisman, MidwestOne BankCharles Brooke, COO, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Ken Brooks, Executive Director, WeLead - West Liberty Economic Area Development

Welcome to our February 2023 episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:Ethan Anderson, Mayor of West LibertyClifford McFerren, Administrator, Simpson Memorial HomeDavid Haugland, City Manager, City of West LibertyShaun Kruger, Superintendent, West Liberty Community School DistrictXiomara Levsen, Editor, West Liberty IndexCharles Brooke, COO, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Ken Brooks, Executive Director, WeLead - West Liberty Economic Area Development

Welcome to our January 2023 episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. This month's roundtable panel:Ethan Anderson, Mayor of West LibertyClifford McFerren, Administrator, Simpson Memorial HomeDavid Haugland, City Manager, City of West LibertyAllie Paarsmith, Director, West Liberty Public LibraryXiomara Levsen, Editor, West Liberty IndexCharles Brooke, COO, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Santos Saucedo, County Board Supervisor, Muscatine CountyKen Brooks, Executive Director, WeLead - West Liberty Economic Area Development

Welcome to our December 2022  episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Ethan Anderson, Mayor of West Liberty, and owner of Big Imprint, a Web Design company based out of West Liberty! Listen as Ethan and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guests! Check out this month's line-up:Lisa Browning with Shop 121Holiday Shopping OpportunitiesFather Guillermo Trevino Operation Warm - Coat Giveaway Kacee Bell627 Training FacilityWest Liberty Indoor Walking ClubBatting Cage RentalDavid Haugland City of West Liberty UpdateCharles BrookeChamber Chat - West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Airports, helicopters, lost luggage, and Radio Stations

Welcome to our November 2022  episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Clifford McFerren, Administrator at Simpson Memorial Home, and Co-Owner of Cardinal Sign & Graphics! Listen as Clifford and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guests! Check out this month's line-up:Welcoming Clifford McFerrenRotary Club - New Noon Rotary ClubOperation Warm - Coat DriveSimpson HomeOvercoming politics for the sake of cooperation and growthChamber Chat - Charles Brooke - West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open HouseNew Businesses are opening in West LibertyWest Liberty Public Library - A month of events!American Legion Veterans Day CeremonyWest Liberty Business Association Luncheon and Quarterly MeetingWest Liberty Community School District Update - Jake BurroughsCity of West Liberty Update - David Haugland - City Manager

Welcome to our October 2022  episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Nick Heath, director of West Liberty Parks and Recreation! Listen as Nick and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guests! Check out this month's line-up:Nick Heath - Parks & Rec director, and most popular man in town!Exciting additions to West Liberty ParksYouth Sports in West LibertyVolunteer OpportunitiesMini Soccer Pitch at Wapsi ParkHalloween Events: Haunted Train and Trick-or-Treating Chamber Chat - Charles Brooke - West Liberty Chamber of Commerce City of West Liberty Update - David Haugland - City ManagerWest Liberty Index - Xiomara Levsen - EditorRotary Club - New Noon Rotary Club - Sara Sedlacek - Rotary PresidentRotary and Parks Project - Bike Racks and Bike Repair StationsMuscatine County Update - Santos Saucedo - County SupervisorAsk the Podcast - Artists in Town? - Janet Rees - WL Area Arts Council - Plein Aire

Welcome to our September 2022 back-to school episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) We had fun with our longer episode last month, but we are back to our just-under-an-hour format! Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Xiomara Levsen, editor of the West Liberty Index! Listen as Xiomara and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guests! Check out this month's line-up:Xiomara Levsen, the Index, and latin dancing West Liberty Community Schools - Superintendent Shaun KrugerChamber Chat - West Liberty Chamber of Commerce - Charles BrookeCity of West Liberty - David Haugland, City ManagerMuscatine County - Santos SaucedoChildren's Festival, Great Pains Puppet Train - Eulenspiegel Puppets - Stephanie VallezAsk the Podcast (email podcast@weleadiowa.org) - Cara McFerren

Welcome to our August 2022 episode of Building together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play.We usually shoot for an hour long podcast, but this month is a bit longer because of West Liberty's action-packed summer, and we had to turn to a panel of experts to answer this month's "Ask the Podcast" question about Ice Cream. Be sure to stick around to the end!Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Fr. Guillermo Treviño Jr. ! Listen as Father G and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guests! Check out this month's line-up:0:00 Intro1:26 Introducing Fr. Guillermo Treviño Jr.5:35 Dream Catchers7:32 Father G and the Chamber of Commerce 11:16 St. Joseph Church Events and World Famous Pupusas13:39 Pro Wrestling and Cinema16:15 New Strand Theatre 17:09 Downtown Renovation: 115 E 3rd Street - Edward Jones, Liberty Public House, and new apartments31:10 Changes at Dutton Park - 627 Training Facility - Indoor Batting Cages and Sports Training33:14 Muscatine County Fair, Fair Parade and Picnic at the Park34:10 Chamber Chat - West Liberty Chamber of Commerce with Charles Brooke37:58 Music in the Park - West Liberty Arts Council - Monica Leo43:06 West Liberty Children’s Festival44:37 Great Plains Puppet Train Regional Puppet Festival48:57 West Liberty Latino Fiesta - Latinos Unidos54:09 Muscatine County Update56:17 City of West Liberty Updates1:01:17 West Liberty Community Schools Update - Jake Burroughs1:09:11 Back to School1:11:15 Ask the Podcast - When will West Liberty get an ice cream shop? (To submit your question to “Ask the Podcast” email podcast@weleadiowa.org 1:14:46 The Great West Liberty Ice Cream Taste-Off1:17:05 Acapulco Bakery1:20:05 West Liberty Foods Market and Cafe1:23:24 Giri BP1:26:20 Wrap-up

Hello, and welcome to our very first episode of Building Together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play.Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host. This podcast's co-host is Charles Brooke! Listen as Charles and Ken discuss the state of West Liberty, talk about upcoming events, and interview special guest, Santos Saucedo!Building Together is a production of West Liberty Economic Area Development, and is brought to you, in part, by West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas. 

We are excited to announce our first podcast, which will be released in July 1st, 2022. Make sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!Building together is a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. Starting out, we will be producing one podcast a month, and this fall we will reevaluate and see about increasing that frequency. Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I will also have a guest co-host.