The towns of Grand Junction and Rippey both held celebrations of their communities in late July and
August.
In Rippey, Fun Daze was held on Saturday, July 30. Activities included a classic car show, ice cream social, and bounce houses for children. The day concluded with baseball game at Walt Anderson Field between the Rippey Demons and the Indianola Wildcats.
The ballpark has been refurbished and revitalized in the last years through the hard work of residents. The Greene County Community
Foundation has supported the baseball field rehabilitation and other local amenities including the Rippey public library, Community Center, fire fighters, and sesquicentennial mural.
In 2022, the library was awarded grants totaling $7,757 for installation of a handicap door and enhancement of the children’s material available.
Grand Junction Fun Days were held August 5-7 and included live music, a carnival, parade, car show, and pool party. Community members may have also noticed a new activity during the celebratory weekend, pickleball. Pickleball is a combination of elements of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, and the Grand Junction Horizons group held a demonstration to show community members how to play the sport. Horizons received a grant of $10,639 earlier this year to install a pickleball court in town to provide a new form of exercise and outdoor recreation.
In addition to this grant, the fire department received a $17,138 award used for replacing extrication tools that were well over 20 years old.
The Greene County Community Foundation has been in existence since 2005 and has awarded grants
like this each year. Local non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to help fund
projects that benefit the community. The grant cycle runs early each year. Persons who want more information
can visit the Greene County Community Foundation website at www.forgreenecounty.org.
