Ambassadors welcomed Tiger Sports Live Stream Network to the Chamber today! Dan Walker launched the preliminary version of the network in 2017 with his son Blake and has grown the business tremendously since then. The network provides a 100% free video live stream of Grinnell High School home games and audio streams of away games.
In 2017, Dan and Blake started commentating on limited Grinnell-Newburg High School basketball and football games using an ipad and game headset. The games were posted to the school’s website and Youtube. In 2018, they upgraded their platform and gained the ability to stream to YouTube. At this point, they were averaging 5-12 viewers per game.
Dan launched the official LLC in 2019 to be able to expand the programing. They invested in new streaming equipment, games, computers and more. They added baseball and softball to their coverage line up and averaged 200+ viewers per game. That fall, Blake hosted their first Game Day event featuring interviews and picks, similar to the College Game Day format.
The network continued to grow through COVID, providing an opportunity for friends and families to watch games from wherever they were. They also added their first paid business advertisers during that time.
Since 2022, Tiger Sports has grown to have over 2,600 subscribers on YouTube and had over 2,000 live views for the last football game this year. They’ve added wrestling, soccer, baseball, softball and volleyball to their streaming schedule for both video at home and audio for away games. By the end of this school year, they’ll have streamed 172 games.
TSLSN will be streaming the audio of Friday night’s football game. Find more details, watch previous streams and see a schedule of upcoming events at tigerslsn.com. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@tigerslsn), and on YouTube at (TigerLIVEStream).
Pictured L-R: Bill Molison - Grin City Bakery, Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Fran Conn, Dorothy Spriggs - Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Katy Wells - Double You Marketing, Inc., Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections, Dan Walker - Tiger Sports Live Stream Network, Trent Arment - Mahaska Communication Group, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Rick Jacoby - Grinnell American Legion, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Carl Meck - GreenState Credit Union Grinnell, Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Desiree Stayer - German Plumbing Heating and Cooling
Not pictured: Briana Gaunt Community 1st Credit Union
Ambassadors visited with BakerStarrett LLP today to learn more about the services they offer and how their business has grown over the last 13 years.
BakerStarrett is a CPA firm that specializes in small business work. They can do taxes of all shapes and sizes (planning, preparation, filling, etc.) and are able to prepare personal returns all year long, not just by April 15. They also offer bookkeeping and payroll services for a variety of businesses and industries. Their team can craft a service plan that offers as much or as little assistance as a business needs. All three departments (tax, bookkeeping, payroll) work together and strive to provide the best service and the best cost savings for their clients.
Tim Baker & Lindsay Starrett opened the current location in 2011, renovating what used to be the hospital’s workout facility. As they expanded over the years, they added office space upstairs and are currently renovating the retail space next door to add 5-6 offices to their footprint.
The number of CPAs servicing rural Iowa is decreasing and with fewer people entering the industry, their team is always looking to expand to continue to provide quality service to individuals and businesses. If you or someone you know has a math/financial/accounting/marketing background or is willing to learn those skills, they want to talk to you! Their team was quick to note that working at an accounting firm is not just deskwork and numbers, Tim and Lindsay strive to provide a positive team atmosphere that is a fun and joyful place to work.
If you’re interested in learning more about their services and open positions, give the office a call at 641-236-8083, email info@bakerstarrett.com or stop in at 808 Commercial Street.
Pictured L-R: Ashley Krebill - BakerStarrett LLP, Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Lindsay Starrett - BakerStarrett LLP, Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center Foundation, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Trent Arment - Mahaska Communication Group, Lisa Shiver - BakerStarrett LLP, Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Tim Baker - BakerStarrett LLP, Shane Hart - Grinnell College Golf Course, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Desiree Stayer - German Plumbing Heating and Cooling, Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Kody Bigelow - Walmart Grinnell
Ambassadors officially welcomed Grinnell Farm To Table to the Chamber today. The local food hub is one of 8 entities across the state dedicated to supporting area farmers and serving the local community.
Executive Director, Tommy Hexter, shared more about how Grinnell Farm To Table online market merged with Local Foods Connection to make the Grinnell Farm to Table nonprofit in early 2023 in an effort to combine resources and increase access to local foods. GFT now has two arms; an online retail market and connecting underserved residents with local foods.
The online market opens tomorrow and will stay open through Sunday. Customers can register for the site for free and order a variety of products from local and regional farmers. The market carries everything from fresh produce, locally raised meat (beef, pork chicken, bison, lamb) Iowa dairy products, tofu, soaps, decoration and more. Orders will be available for pickup next Wednesday. The online market will run once a month from November through April before picking back up to twice a month during the summer months.
Grinnell Farm to Table also works to support underserved residents in the community by creating access to local food through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups or with credit to use at the Farmers Market. They also received a USDA grant to purchase local foods for area school districts and food pantries; filling their shelves and financially supporting area farmers.
Grinnell Farm to Table is excited to continue to update its facility over the next year to add more cooler and freezer space and to grow their customer/client base in the community. If you’re interested in purchasing from the market, find the link in the comments. If you’d like to make a financial contribution to their mission, contact Tommy at grinnellfarmtotable@gmail.com or call 540-471-1647. Visit their website at grinnellfarmtotable.org to learn more.
Pictured L-R: Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Desiree German - German Plumbing Heating and Cooling, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Ann Brau - Compass Plant CSA & Grinnell Farm to Table board member, Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Jordan Scheibel - Middle Way Farm & Grinnell Farm to Table board member, Kerri Olson - Olson Garden Market & Grinnell Farm to Table board member, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Tommy Hexter - Grinnell Farm To Table, Kody Bigelow - Walmart Grinnell, Briana Gaunt - Community 1st Credit Union, Mike Storbeck - Grinnell Farm to Table board member, Laurel Tuggle Lacina - Grinnell Farm to Table board member, Joe Tuggle Lacina, Fran Conn, Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
Ambassadors welcomed new member, Oakland Acres Golf Club to the chamber today! Owner Larry Heishman and his team shared more about the history of the course and some of the exciting things they have coming up.
Oakland Acres is a public 18 hole golf course on 110 acres. Originally built in the 1970s, Larry and his family bought the property in 2013 and brought the course back to life. They built the current club house in 2014 and have continued to expand offerings and programming over the years. Memberships are available during the season and they often host a number of outings each year and can accommodate up to 150 people per outing. This year, kids 18 and under were able to play for free. Larry is hoping to use incentives like that to inspire the next generation of golfers.
While outdoor play is waning now that the weather is beginning to turn, the clubhouse offers a variety of year round activities. Inside, two simulators are available for play throughout the year. In addition to playing notable courses around the country, there’s a variety of golf games for all ages that can also be played on the simulators - perfect for a birthday party or beating the winter blues. The winter simulator league will start up after Thanksgiving and run for 14 weeks. They’re also hosting a Sip & Paint class on October 25 (find details on our event calendar). The clubhouse space is also available for rent throughout the year for parties, open houses, graduation, work events and more.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, the clubhouse is also open for lunch & dinner Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM. Their short-order kitchen carries some of your favorite foods and a fully stocked bar will keep you refreshed. Their fall pricing for golf is in effect ($20 + tax for a cart and 18 holds) and they’re fall menu pricing will be released in a couple of weeks. They’re hoping to add more events and updates over the winter months, follow them on Facebook to stay up to date!
If you’re interested in booking an outing or an event at Oakland Acres, send them a direct message on Facebook or email oa@oaklandacresgolfclub.com!
Pictured L-R: Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Nathan Beck - Community 1st Credit Union, Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Briana Gaunt - Community 1st Credit Union, Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Austin Johnson - Oakland Acres Golf Club, Gabbi Gable - Oakland Acres Golf Club, Kody Bigelow - Walmart Grinnell, Larry Heishman - Oakland Acres Golf Club, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Fran Conn
Ambassadors celebrated Dolly’s Dog Park with a ribbon cutting today! Ahrens Park President/CEO Chad Nath shared more about the process to get the park open and some of the things they’re hoping to add in the future.
The need for an in-town dog park has been voiced across a number of mediums over the recent years and was something that the Ahrens Park Foundation had in their strategic plan. Nath was approached by Kevin Hosbond and 3 Grinnell High School students - Max Mintel, Carson Penyich, and Ethan Walker - about using a dog park at Ahrens as a Senior Capstone project last year. Max, Carson, and Ethan worked with Chad to develop a plan, write and submit grant applications and even came up with the idea to name the park in Dolly Ahrens’ honor.
Through grants and donations, the team was able to raise enough funds to build a perimeter fencing that features four separate areas for dogs to run and play. As additional funds are raised through donations or other grants, the Ahrens team hopes to add agility elements, water access, shade, seating and more.
The dog park is free to use but please clean up after your furry friend. Chad mentioned social media has been used to organize “Yappy Hour” to meet up with other dog owners for play time for pets and they’ve enjoyed seeing all the use the park has gotten since the fencing went up. The dog park is located on the south side of Ahrens Park, right behind the sledding hill.
If you’re interested in making a donation to the dog park or supporting other Ahrens Park initiatives, visit their website.
Pictured L-R: Shane Gosselink - Ahrens Park, Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Troy Kingery - Ahrens Park, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Jennifer McAlexander - Hawkeye Lock & Security & JM Consulting, Lauren Augustin - Grinnell Mutual, Kevin Hosbond - Grinnell High School - GNCSD, Chad Nath - Ahrens Park, Joe Bagnoli - Grinnell College, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College, Sarah Smith - Grinnell College, Fran Conn, Ashley Symbol - First State Bank, Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
