In this podcast I talk with Mindy Williamson with The Iowa State Fair. She organized the food tasting and judging of the 11 foods out of the 60 new foods at this year's Iowa State Fair. She talks about the process of judging the new foods and how they were selected. She announces the top 3 foods selected at this year's fair. She also says how you can vote on your favorite in the top 3 selected. Don't forget to watch the video with Mindy either on outandaboutwithjamiegrout.com or on The Out And About With Jamie Grout YouTube channel.

In this podcast I speak with Rachel Kinnick, Director of The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce about all the bargains and deals you can get in on this Saturday in downtown Grinnell during Ridiculous Days.

There are 60 new foods at the this years 2025 Iowa State Fair. You can find them online. It's amazing at what some people have come up with in terms of new terms of new treats for your tastebuds's at The Fair. In this podcast I go over a list of some of the new foods at the fair.

The Jasper County Fair will be in full swing next weekend and runs July 18th through the 24th. I'll be having reports with Stacy Wilson sponsored by Newton-Des Moines East KOA, Ryan's Tire & Auto and Jersey Freeze. On this podcast Iowa State University Extension County Youth Coordinator Stacy Wilson gives us a preview of what projects the youth at the fair will be involved in at the fair, what her job entails and why it's beneficial for youngsters to be involved in 4-H and FFA.

Continuing my topic of Food Insecurity from Monday I am addressing that issue for Grinnell & Poweshiek County with Abra, the Communications Director for MICA, Mid-Iowa Community Action. The need is great for folks who are having trouble deciding if they are going to be able to afford groceries in the county for a wide variety of reasons. We also discuss ways that you can help provide food for the hungry in the area.

This podcast is about the need for supplies for Jasper Counties Salvation Army Food Pantry. On the podcast I speak with Co-Captain Tim North, who along with his wife Peggy run the local Salvation Army. Tim talks about the variety of reasons why they have so many folks are so food insecure around the area. This seems to be a big problem with Food Banks and Food Pantry's not only locally but also around the state of Iowa. If there is any way you can help with these organizations by donating a canned good or non-perishable item or even cash it would would be much appreciated.

This podcast lists the activities going on in Newton & Grinnell for The 4th Of July or Independence Day if you prefer. I also talk about the laws regarding fireworks. I ask that you please be aware of neighbors who might have ptsd or pets that have trouble dealing with fireworks before setting them off. Also, I am taking a bit of time off from podcasts for the upcoming week. Although, I am doing a livestream broadcast from the ribbon cutting from the new Grinnell Museum on Saturday afternoon, the Ribbon Cutting from The Westwood Clubhouse in Newton on Monday at noon and The 4th of July Parade in Newton on Friday morning. These livestream broadcasts will all be on my Jamie Grout Facebook page.

On this Out And About With Jamie Grout Podcast I have a conversation with Monique Shore who has written a book about Edith Renfrow Smith. Edith is the first black woman to Graduate from Grinnell College and will celebrate her 111th birthday on July 14th. The book is called No One Is Better Than You. Monique gives us a insight into the life of this lady who is the Granddaughter of slaves, who was determined to get a higher education. The Grinnell College Alumni Association will be having a Birthday Card Shower in Edith's honor and would love it if you would participate. They ask that you get your birthday cards into the Alumni Association by July 11th. You can mail the birthday cards to:Edith Renfrow Smith c/o The Office of Development and Relations733 Broad StreetGrinnell, Iowa 50112

In this podcast I have a conversation with KayLea Marchant who is the Executive Director of The Newton Chamber of Commerce about Newton's 4th Of July Parade. She talks about the number of entrys for the parade, the parade route and even announces who the parade Grand Marshall will be. By the way if you are looking for the parade route it will be announced in the Newton paper and on the Chamber's media including their Facebook page.

In this podcast I have a conversation with Peter Brooks who is the Media Relations guy for the Iowa Cubs. The Iowa Cubs are the Farm Club for The Chicago Cubs and they've been doing great this year. We talk about the season they've had so far, the rest of the season, some of the key players and coaches. We also talk about his love for baseball and his family's history of sports play-by-play.