It feels like summer outside, and that means it is time for the season of Lunch with a Bunch!
So, what is “Lunch with a Bunch”? It is an opportunity to gather with others and enjoy lunch together at a different park every Wednesday from 12–1pm during the summer months.
This summer we are continuing the SUPER-SIZED version of Lunch with a Bunch. On SUPER-SIZED Wednesdays, you will have an opportunity to visit the designated location with others from Grand and their friends. We will travel to these destinations as a group and receive group rates as an added incentive.
Who can come? Everyone! Single professionals, moms and dads with young children, grandfathers and grandmothers with their grandchildren, empty nesters, etc., all are welcome to come and enjoy their sack lunch and fellowship with others.
What do I do? Come! Bring your own sack lunch and beverage and meet with others at the designated park. If you have children or grandchildren, bring them to play with others and enjoy the many wonderful parks in our area. Invite your friends and neighbors!
When is it? Every Wednesday over the noon hour at the park listed below. If the weather is inclement, we will not meet that week.
Where will it be each week? We have selected parks that have covered shelters/ picnic tables and playgrounds and designated which shelter we will meet at if one is provided. (We are not paying to reserve these shelters so if they are occupied, we will meet there then move to another spot at that park.)
- June 8: Bandshell Park, 6th St and Duff Ave, Picnic Area
- June 15: Moore Memorial Park, 3050 Northridge Pkwy, Big Bluestem Shelter
- June 22: SUPER-SIZED – Blank Park Zoo (in Des Moines), leave church at 9:00 AM, return by 4:00 PM
- June 29: Inis Grove Park, 2500 Duff Ave, Walnut Shelter
- July 6: Emma McCarthy Lee Park, 3400 Ross Road, Butternut Shelter
- July 13: Brookside Park, 1325 6th Street, Maple Shelter
- July 20: SUPER-SIZED – Mahanay Bell Tower (in Jefferson), leave church at 9:15 AM and return by 4:00 PM
- July 27: Christofferson Park, 2130 Oakwood Rd, Shelter
- August 3: Lloyd Kurtz Park, Bloomington Road and Hyde, Shelter
- August 10: SUPER-SIZED — Boone Scenic Valley Railroad, leave church at 10:00 AM and return by 4:00 PM
About the SUPER-SIZED day trips:
Please note, there is an entrance fee to each of these events.
To encourage community, the church is underwriting some of the expenses involved. The prices listed reflect the cost you will have to pay and because it involves a group rate, you MUST make reservations as advised.
June 22 – Blank Park Zoo
Meet at church at 9:00 AM to carpool with others for a visit to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. With a group of 15 or more, tickets are $5 for seniors (65+), $6 for adults (13–64), $2 (ages 3–12) , under 3 are free. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the Zoo. Plans are to leave the Zoo at 2:30 PM.
PLEASE RSVP BY JUNE 15, 2016. CONTACT US.
July 20 – Mahanay Bell Tower and other sites of interest in Jefferson, Iowa
Bring your walking shoes to climb the Mahanay Bell Tower, a 162-foot structure topped by fourteen cast bells. From the top of the tower, you can see seven counties in Iowa and some special Rooftop Art. After the tour of the tower, we will eat our lunches at the nearby Russell Park, take a walking tour of Thomas Jefferson Gardens and see Sally’s Alley. Bring some extra dollars for ice cream at the Twin Shop before we head back to Ames. Admission is $3 for all to the tower. We will leave from the church at 9:30 AM and return by 4:00 PM.
PLEASE RSVP BY JULY 13, 2016. CONTACT US.
August 10 – Boone Scenic Valley Railroad
Plan ahead and make this an outing for the entire family! Plan to leave the church at 10:30 AM. We will bring our lunches and eat and play at McHose Park before we head on over to the Train Museum and tour there from 12–1 PM. The train ride begins at 1:30 PM and goes until 3:15 PM. We will return home after the train ride. Admission for the museum and train ride tickets are $12 for ages 13 and over, $4 for ages 3–12, 2 and under sitting on parent’s lap are free.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE FOR THE TRAINRIDE. PLEASE RSVP BY AUGUST 3, 2016. CONTACT US.