Out And About With Jamie Grout

A couple weeks ago Newton business man Chris Barton proposed to The Newton School Board the idea of purchaseing two, unused elementary schools, Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson for $25,000 per school and giving them back to the community. Woodrow Wilson would go to The Newton Christian School and Emerson Hough would go to The Newton YMCA for day care. On a 4-3 vote the School Board approved looking into the proposal from Barton and will decide on the matter at a later date. The Mayor of Newton, Randy Ervin reached out to me because he wanted to express his opinion on Bartons provposal. He is totally in favor of the idea and thinks it's a win for the city. You will hear why he thinks it's a good idea in this podcast. I am also a proponent of the idea because I am a fan of The Newton Community Theatre for sentimental reasons. My dad, along with others, got The Community Theatre started in the early 60s. The Newton YMCA has wanted to take over the space being used by the theatre for a few years now for daycare. The theatre has looked at other locations like DMACC and The Centre For Performance at The High School but they haven't been considered a good fit they don't have the storage for costumes and sets that the current location has. With Emerson Hough school this gives the YMCA a great location for expanded day care. My opinion is that this community needs both a strong Community Theatre and strong YMCA with a quality expanded day care. This proposal does both. If you have an opposing opinion please and would like time on my podcast please email me at [email protected] [email protected] or [email protected] and I'll be glad to give you or others time on my podcast.

The Blue Star Moms Organization is made up of ladies who want to support their children in the military. In this podcast I speak with April Conway. Listeners to WHO Radio might know her better as "Mrs C" who is the producer for Simon Conway on his show 4 to 7 pm on WHO Radio. We chat about why she is so passionate about this program and what its mission is all about. We also talk about why depression and even suicide is so pervasive among veterans when they leave active. When I conclude the podcast I ask April how we can support Blue Star Moms.

The Veterans Memorial and Plaza at Central Park in Grinnell was dedicated on July 4th. With that in mind I spoke with Tom Lacina who headed up a group of folks that made an effort to put a memorial and plaza in the park. Many designs were considered and thrown out until the group finally setteled on the one we have today. It's a beautiful structure that you can actually walk into. And, as you will see from the video shortcast the pictures of the memorial lit up at night are absolutely beautiful. In the podast I speak with Tom about where the idea for the memorial came from, some of the designs what were considered, why they chose that design and how the project was funded. If you haven't had a chance to see the memorial yet make plans to check it out.

In this podcast I speak with Rev. Leann Robine who is the new Pastor at The First United Methodist Church in Newton. She comes to Newton from the city of Johnny Carson's birthplace, Corning, Iowa. In this interview she gives us her background and also why she wanted to be a Methodist Minister. We also delve into her favorite books of the Bible and why those books are her favorite. Does she believe in a Heaven and Hell and why? I ask about the LGBTQ controversey going on within the Methodist Church right now and The United Methodist's Church's stand on that. Plus, she talks about some of her goals for the church as the Pastor.

This is a podcast with Roxanne Cogil, who is Executive Director Regional Teams of The Epilepsy Foundation Of Iowa. This is an organization that I hope to know more about in the future because as a child and teenager Iowa, I was epileptic. God blessed me because I grew out of being epilepic by the time I was 18. But you will hear my story about being epilepic in this podcast. You will also hear Roxanne's story about her daughter being epilepic and how Roxanne got involved in The Epilepsy Foundation. In this podcast Roxanne talks about the different forms of epilepsy. She also discusses what folks should do if they withess a person having an epileptic seizure. At the end of the podcast Roxanne talks about how you can help with the organization. You might want to hang on until the very end of the podcast where I add a post script and talk about what my parents did for me because I had epilepsy and couldn't drive to my first DJ job at the radio station in Knoxville.

This podcast is about Park Centre's Purple Powder 5k Run/Walk on Saturday June 27th. They will have: Purple color powder stations- Walk, jog, or run ? your pace, your way- Music, snacks, and photo ops- Community, connection, and a cause that mattersFind out more by listening to the podcast

There are many things going on in Grinnell just for today, Thursday, June 11th! A Farmers Market, Music In The Park and Art In The Park. Listen up for in this edition of Out And About With Jamie Grout. If you'd like more information on events happening in Grinnell go to The Grinnell Chamber Of Commerce website.

In this "best of" podcast I speak with Ella White who is the fairly new Director Of The Newton Chamber OF Commerce. She is a busy lady with many events coming up including Newton Fest. In the podcast we talk about her history, the events she has taken part in and the events she will be involved in in the future. She also talks about her goals for the Newton Chamber Of Commerce.

In this podcast I speak with Grinnell Mayor Sam Cox. We talk about a wide variety of issues. We talk about housing availability and ask about development projects. I also ask the Mayor about developmental projects in downtown Grinnell and talk about the new thrift store. We also discuss staffing levels at Public Safety and Emergency Services in Grinnell. I want to thank our fine sponsors including Grinnell State Bank, B. Nichole Salon and Saints Rest Coffee House.

In this podcast I speak with Newton School's Superentendent Tom Messinger in a wide ranging interview. Parents are concerned about school safety and in the past school year the school system has had to enact a couple of "soft lockdowns." In this podcast Tom tells us what the difference is between a soft lockdown and a normal lockdown and what Newton Schools does to keep our schools safe. He also discusses the issue of bullying and how the schools system deals with that issue. He announces who the new Berg Middle School Principal will be. He also talks about how the Iowa Legislature's Property Tax bill effects the school system. If you desire a shorter version of this podcast make sure you check out the shortcast video where we talk specifically about school safety and bullying. Just click on the link below or go to my YouTube channel or outandaboutwithjamiegrout.com

This is a "best of" podcast with Chris from The Newton News. Since this was recorded Chris has been promoted to Editor of the Newspaper. As I mentioned to his boss as she announced his promotion as Newton Rotary, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. In this podcast we talk about both of our passions, me for radio and his for the newspaper business. His surprise at all the newsmaking things going on in and around Newton when he came to town. And his feelings about the newspaper business ove all.

3 BIG THINGS going on in one day for Thursday 5/28 in Grinnell. This is a Grinnell Happenings podcast where I talk about what's going on in Grinnell. For more information about what' happening in Grinning Google the Grinnell Chamber Of Commerce website. The crew at The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce does a great job of letting you know what's going on in Grinnell. Just click on "events' and you'll be informed.

In this "best of" Out And About With Jamie Grout podcast I speak with long time WHO Farm Broadcaster Bob Quinn. Bob has been on WHO since the early 80.s but before that he was on the air in Ottumwa, Fairfield and at The Iowa State station WOI. Bob and I talk about his history not only at WHO but also his radio history in general. Farmers around the state and the midwest have grown to trust Bob and all the other farm broadcasters over the years at WHO. Someone said to me the other day "Bob seems like such a nice guy!" And I told that person to rest assured that Bob was every bit the sae nice guy off the air as he is on the air. Enjoy this podcast with Bob Quinn and have a great Memorial Day Holiday Weekend!!!!

If you are looking for things to do in Grinnell and are complaining that you can't find anything to do you aren't looking hard enough. Thanks to The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce's web site here's an audio listing of events going on through May 25th. From run-walks to farmers markets to pottery making there's plenty going on in "Grin City." Check it out in this edition of Out And About With Jamie Grout.

I always enjoy having a conversation with Newton Mayor Randy Ervin. He never fails to make some news. In this podcast he tells us what's going on with the vacant Perkin's Restaurant. Erv also talks about how the city plans to deal with The Iowa Legislatures plan on property taxes. He discusses the road trip he and other members of The city and The Newton City Council made to Ames to check out The All Inclusive play ground that Newton is considering adding. He also talks about the cities funding of the Neuter Is Cuter trap and release program and a wide variety of other topics. Don't forget to check out the video where he talks about being an Assistant Coach for the Newton High School Football Team again this year.

Newton has a bad overpopulation problem with dogs and cats. In peticulal with cats. We know first hand because Little Red and I adopted an adorable cat that strayed into our back yard a couple of years ago. Recently Terri McKenny went before The Newton City Council asking for help in funding The Lucy's Pet Pantry "Neuter Is Cuter" program. This is a program that seeks to trap stray release stray cats, then spay or neuter them and then release them back to where they came from. The problem seems to be especially bad in northwest Newton where we live. In this podcast Terri talks about the program and how successful it has been and how they hope that it will become even more successful with the city's help.

Little Red and I LOVE donkeys! A couple years ago my sweetie started showing me videos from a guy who has an animal sanctuary in Spain that takes care of unwanted donkeys and horses. We really fell in love with the donkeys. Then a long time listener and friend Jamie Brennan of Montezuma started posting videos of her donkeys on Facebook. She had one we really fell in love with that is the baby of the donkey family and his name is Duncan. Most recently she posted a video of she and her donkeys on National Donkey Day and a previous video of her donkey's where go got some mud on her face. On this podcast the talks about how she's always been an animal lover and how she and her husband Chris came to having the donkeys. Make sure that you check out the video on the link below or at my website outandaboutwithjamiegrout.com to see just exactly how adorable these donkeys are and check out Jamie's Facebook page to see the video's she posts with the donkey's from time to time.

In this podcast I speak with Monica St Angelo who is with The Grinnell Area Arts Council. Once again, with the help of great sponsors, she has put together a great list of groups and bands for summer concerts at Central Park in Grinnell. Monica talks about the great line up they have coming up for young and old alike in a wide variety of different musical formats from Latin music to a bag bagpipe band there's something for everyone this summer at Central Park. So bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the great music presented by The Grinnell Area Arts Council and Summer Music In The Park 2025.

In this podcast I speak with Ina from The Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens about the upcoming events coming up this weekend. She also talks about the beautiful flowers that are starting to bloom at The Arboretum. I will be the celebrity bingo caller this Friday night, May 8th for Arboretum Bingo. Sorry, you can't get a table as the event is, thankfully, sold out. But if you still want some beautiful plants you can get in on The Arboretums Plant Sale coming up this Saturday from 9 am until 1 pm also at The Arboretum. If you have an event coming up for the summer and fall months consider The Arboretum. If you would like to book an event or would like to know more about The Arboretum give them a call during regular office hours, Monday through Thursday 8 am until 12 pm or Fridays from 12 pm until 4 pm at 641-791-3021

This podcast really hits home with me. This week I almost fell victim to a scam and just about lost $1,000. But thanks to the folks at Advantage Credit Union, I did not. In this podcast I speak with Jeff Holschuh from ACU about how I was almost scammed, some of the more common scams and how you can do your best to keep from getting scammed. You really have to watch out because the scammers are getting more and more clever these days.