Optimist Sweet Corn A Summertime Tradition

Break out the butter and freezer bags, the annual Glenwood Optimist Club sweet corn sale is underway.

This year’s Optimist sweet corn sale began Monday and is expected to last into early August. The corn, picked fresh daily in Mills County, is being sold from the parking lot at Farm Bureau Financial Services, located at 302 S. Locust St. in Glenwood.

The popular Honey and Cream bi-color and Summer Gold sweet corn is planted each year by Glenwood Optimist Club member and longtime Mills County Master Corn Grower David Sieck and his son, Evan. 

The corn is harvested at sunrise every morning, Monday – Saturday, by a team of Glenwood Optimist Club members. They pick between 75 to 100 dozen ears each day and transport the corn directly to the sale stand, which opens around 8 a.m. By early-mid afternoon, the stand is usually sold out.

The Optimist Club uses its sweet corn proceeds to support and help sponsor a variety of youth programs in the Glenwood area, including youth sports activities, scholarships, the Glenwood Public Library, Relay For Life, Mills County 4-H and the annual Glenwood Easter Egg Hunt. This year, some of the sweet corn revenue will allow the club to make a $2,500-plus donation to the Glenwood Park Board to help fund the resurfacing of the outdoor basketball court at the city recreation complex.

As it has in recent years, the sweet corn sale also serves as a fundraiser for the Glenwood Community High School Marching Band. Members of the band and their parents assist the Optimists with the sale of the corn in return for a financial donation to the band.

 

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

Comment Here