
Archive for ‘Elkader Nightlife’
Five Gold Rings a Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 24th, 2011Vendor Holiday Open House
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
A Vendor Holiday Open House will be held on Sunday, December 4th from 1pm until 4pm at Johnson’s Reception Hall, in Elkader. There is a variety of local vendors that will be featured.
Raffle Drawing will include prizes from every vendor!
Designer Inspiration Purses * Gold Canyon Candles*It Works! * Jewels by Park Lane
* Lia SophiaLongaberger Baskets * Norwex * Pampered Chef*Private Quarters * Scentsy * Signature Homestyles
Tastefully Simple * Thirty-One Gifts*Young Living Essential Oils & LifeVantage
December 3rd, Enjoy Elkader’s Spirit of Small Town Christmas
Sunday, November 27th, 2011
The Elkader Chamber of Commerce invites you to Elkader’s Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 3rd.
Everyone will enjoy the spirit of a small town Christmas.
- The kids will enjoy the Christmas Storyhour and Wee Shop at the Elkader Public Library starting at 10 a.m. Kids love the opportunity pick out donated Christmas gifts for their special people.
- The library’s 4th Annual Chocolate Fest starts at 1 p.m. at the Elkader Jailhouse Inn.
- Downtown Carriage rides (weather permitting) and music start at 1 p.m.
- Kids can visit with Santa Claus at 118 West Bridge Street (between Treats and The Copper Frog) from 2 to 4.
- Be sure to register to win Christmas Cash from participating Elkader merchants.
- Don’t forget your tickets for the Opera House Players holiday musical, “The Forgotten Carols,” at the Elkader Opera House by calling 563-873-2378 or at Moser Family Pharmacy.
Bring the family and spend a day of shopping, dining, and fun at the Holiday Celebration in Elkader on Saturday, December 3rd!
Hot Tip: Go to The Forgotten Carols
Saturday, November 26th, 2011
Last night, my daughter Jenna and I took advantage of the only opportunity, that would fit our schedule, to see The Forgotten Carols, on opening night, at the Elkader Opera House. Simply put, I thought it was terrific.
This Opera House Players production is a super heartwarming portrayal of a young nurse, Constance, whose heart is hardened by a rough childhood. She is all about getting her work done and burying sensitive issues. Through song, her patient, John, an especially old soul, (it seems he has been alive since before the birth of Christ) makes it his business to tenderly unlock Constance’s buried talents. In an early scene, John, in a friendly gesture, nick names Constance, against her rigid spirit, “Connie Lou,” and from that moment you just know this is going to be a great story.
Ann Franta, flawlessly, and beautifully plays the role of Constance, while John is endearingly played by Craig Stutt. The rest of the small cast is filled out by Opera House veterans, and two well cast and well played newbie’s Joeann Tesar and Joanne Strutt.
I really enjoyed this show it was not predictable, the role of the chorus was nothing but uplifting and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. The show is as usual, so well directed and produced. The staging and lighting are excellent, and certainly add to the enjoyment of this great show.
After a rousing standing ovation, everyone seemed to leave the theater smiling and thrilled for a heartwarming memorable performance by the Opera House Players.
The Forgotten Carols Tickets Winners
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
The DishnTunes.com Winners of a pair of tickets to Opera House Players production of The Forgotten Carols at the Elkader Opera House are:
Sandi Coobs, Nancy Kuehl, Lynda Coon, & Sandy Kruse
Winners check your email, we will send you directions for claiming your tickets!
Show times are:
Nov 25, 26, Dec 2, 3, 2011 – 7:30pm
Matinee Nov 27, Dec 4, 2011 – 2:00pm
Nov 25, 26, Dec 2, 3, 2011 – 7:30pmMatinee Nov 27, Dec 4, 2011 – 2:00p
Word on the Street get your tickets now!
Thursday, November 17th, 2011A message from the Opera House Players:
Tickets on-sale Now!
It’s time to kindle you holiday spirit, and we don’t mean with a shopping trip on the busiest shopping day of the year! Get tickets to our holiday show, ” The Forgotten Carols.” Don’t be surprised if this show nears a sell-out the second weekend, once the word spreads from the first weekend audiences. It is a show you will want to see. Be pro-active. Call soon and get your seats. You’ll be overjoyed you did!
The Curious Savage at Central
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
The Central Community High School Music and Fine Arts Boosters invite everyone toThe Curious Savage
Friday, November 11th, and Saturday, November 12th -at 7:30 p.m.
The Curious Savage is produced through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Services, Inc., New York.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Pairs Well with Fireside Matchbox Wine at Fennellys’ Irish Pub
Sunday, October 9th, 2011
by Trisha Finley
This article is compliments of Make Mine Wine magazine and was written by Barbara Rasko
When William Fennelly left Ireland and stepped off the boat in America in 1890, his name was Americanized to Finley. He couldn’t have imagined that 121 years later, his great-grandson and wife would be serving his favorites like corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, shepherd’s pie and boxty to residents and visitors at Fennellys’ Irish Pub in Elkader, Iowa.
Nestled in the hills of Northeast Iowa, Fennellys’ Irish Pub offers Americanized Irish fare along with some great American favorites, served in a friendly, relaxed pub-style atmosphere, where lively conversations drift easily from table to table. A framed photo of a stoic, and probably proud, William Fennelly hangs on the wall.
On any given day you can see Trisha Finley behind the long oak bar, pouring a Guinness for a regular customer, or welcoming a new customer walking in the door, while Chef Tim Finley prepares flavor-filled meals and appetizers in the well-lit open kitchen.
Tim Finley is a Certified Chef with degrees in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Iowa State University. He trained with DMACC’s Chef Robert Anderson, who was pleased to see his young student in action when he attended the Pub’s grand opening in September of 2008.
In three short years, Tim and Trisha have built a successful business by consistently serving excellent food at a reasonable price and providing a comfortable, friendly place to enjoy a meal or hang out and watch a game with friends.
He encourages small town success by partnering with other local businesses. Pedretti’s Bakery creates all of the bread, buns, and rolls served at Fennellys’. In the same spirit of cooperation, he carries a selection of fine wines, but encourages customers to walk across the street and bring back Iowa wines from The Wine Cellar at Willow Creek Wine and Garden, to pair with their meals.
The menu includes big flavorful burgers, excellent steaks, soups, sandwiches, traditional Irish favorites, and home-made desserts. Fennellys’ has thirteen beers on tap including selections from Iowa breweries, over 30 domestic and specialty bottled beers, mixed drinks, and wine.


The crew at Schera’s is very excited about an upcoming gallery exhibit at Schera’s Fine Art Gallery, located at 111 N Main Street in Elkader. First, the Thirty Three and a Third Point Two Art Show features 33 and a third illustrators and designers reinterpreting and reimagining existing album covers. Artists from around the country have contributed to this collection.











