Firsthand Experience

I am off to be a meeting planner and a tourist... in other words I am getting married and going on a honeymoon.

See you in a couple of weeks!

What do you mean Hastings has a Visitor Center?

It is safe to say that in general the residents of Hastings pay very little attention to the happenings at the Visitor Center. But... about the third weekend in October the line of trees right behind the "hut" turn into a rainbow of fall colors. People who have never stopped before stop simply to compliment the colors. People even bring their families to line up in front of the trees for their annual portrait.

Businesses opt for the flashing red signs and billboards but all I need is those trees once a year to highlight the Visitor Center. It was a brilliant marketing tactic for whoever planted them if only they looked like this year round!

Here I go...

I am leaving town for a few days to attend the Nebraska Travel Conference in Columbus. This conference allows the CVB's to learn how they can work with the Division of Tourism to better promote the entire state.

If you are interested in what is happening statewide in terms of tourism, check out http://www.visitnebraska.org/.

Be back soon!

Home Run Event!

Hastings was the proud host of the 2007 NSAA State Softball Championships last week.

I took tickets two of the three days and it was so exciting to see people from all over the state enjoying the games in such a great facility. Plus, we could not have asked for better weather.

A big thanks to the community for pulling together to make this event such a great success.

Downtown...

On Thursday of last week the Business Improvement District hosted a tour of downtown upper level living spaces. The event was a fundraiser for the Hastings Greenscape park and over 300 people purchased tickets for the event. http://www.hastingsgreenscape.com/

Downtown living is a national trend and Hastings has seen the benefits with over 10 residences in the two story buildings on 1st and 2nd Street. There are additional downtown living projects in progress that were not included on the tour.

It is great to see such a strong interest in this type of non-traditional living space that will help preserve downtown Hastings. For more information about what else is going on downtown visit http://www.hastingsdowntown.com/.

Country Harvest Pumpkin Patch

A favorite attraction in the area this time of year is the Country Harvest Pumpkin Patch. Whether you are in the market for a pumpkin or in need of an evening of entertainment this place is a lot of fun.

With hill slides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a hay jump your family will have a great time. They also have a Prairie Pantry which offers homemade ice cream, homemade fudge and fresh popped kettle corn.

Put on a sweater and head out to the pumpkin patch... Fun like this only happens once a year!

http://www.countryharvestpumpkinpatch.com/

Softballers Welcome!

Hastings will host the 2007 NSAA State Softball Championships this week at the Bill Smith Softball Complex. Starting on Wednesday morning teams from all over the state will compete in one of the finest softball complexes in the country. The softball action will continue through Friday, October 12th.

I encourage community members to come out and welcome this event into our community... and of course to support the Hastings High School Tigers as they compete.

See you out there!

Java Jive

One of my absolute favorite things about this time of year is the Harvest Moon... that is the specialty coffee drink available at Barista's Daily Grind. It is like pumpkin pie in a cup and all at the same time I want to be wearing a sweater, crunching leaves, carving a pumpkin and feeling the crisp cool air against my cheeks.

There are 3 coffee shops in Hastings... Barista's, The Blue Moon and Espresso America. Barista's offers a quick java fix with their drive through service on the north side of town. The Blue Moon is located right in the middle of downtown Hastings and offers a sandwich menu in addition to specialty drinks. Espresso America is on the south side of town just off of Burlington and offers both drive through and dine in service.

Other restaurants throughout town cater to the morning coffee crowd and the regulars provide an excellent serving of gossip at the same time.

"I love coffee, I love tea I love the java jive and it loves me Coffee and tea and the java and me A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup..."

Hastings YMCA

I am now a proud member of the Hastings YMCA! (But don't be confused my pride in the Y is often disguised by my utter disgust for exercise of any kind.)

Despite the fact I was walking on the treadmill at 6:30am this morning I had a sense of great admiration for the facility . If I were still 5 this place would be heaven. With a climbing gyms, basketball courts, water slides and an arcade I would have loved it here.

At 6:30am the noise/excitement level in the facility is probably at a minimum for the day. At any other time however, you would be able to admire not just the facility but the level of fun, measured in the number of balls bouncing, children giggling and moms peacefully exercising while their children entertain themselves.

The Hastings YMCA while used primarily by Hastings residents, is a great place for travelers as well. If you are looking for one place where everyone in your family can find something fun to do, this is the place for you. Just be sure to ignore us grumpy people on the treadmills.

Scenic Route

Every morning on my way to work I choose a slower, more scenic route through one of Hastings' historic housing districts. I could bypass all of the dips, school crossings and slower speed limits for a quick drive on Burlington but every morning I would miss seeing this piece of Hastings' charm.


I am so impressed with the time and care residents who live on these streets spend maintaining their homes. All appear carefully manicured, which accentuates their distinct character in a neighborhood representing the three periods of major growth in Hastings. By learning about the history of each house you can in turn learn about the people and the businesses that have made Hastings what it is today.


The Adams County Historical Society has created a "Fountain to Fountain" tour that helps you to appreciate these homes and learn about Hastings during a stroll through a scenic neighborhood. You can read about each of the houses included on the tour online or there will be a tour book available later this month.

Join with me and take the scenic route through town!

Click here to view Fountain to Fountain Tour

Prairie Loft

I received an invitation in the mail today to attend an open house on Oct. 28 from noon-5 pm at the Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning... and I would like to invite you.

This is just the beginning for the center which will not only preserve a historical part of the Hastings area, but that will provide a location for hands on education for youth and families. The center will be housed in historic buildings located on property adjacent to the Hastings Regional Center and the intended programs will emphasize an understanding of agriculture and outdoor learning.

With eco- and agri- tourism on the rise this type of attraction will be a gem for the Hastings community. It will draw school aged children from around the state and tourists from all over the country who would like to experience life in a rural setting.

This will be a big job but it is a great cause and you can help just by attending the open house which will feature an old-fashioned bonfire weiner roast, tours of the buildings, and programs and entertainment for the whole family. See you there!