Not everyone trapped by alcohol is an alcoholic.  Families and friends are suffering too.  Do you worry about how much someone drinks?  Al-Anon can help.  Meetings are Sunday Nights from 7 to 8 pm at the lower level of St. Michael's Rectory, the Centennial Room, in Harlan.

​Need a ride?  Southwest Iowa Transit Authority - SWITA - is now available online - swita.com.  Through the website you can schedule a ride, setup your student's transportation for the upcoming school year, schedule medical transportation, schedule work routes for you employees, schedule a special trip, check rates and make payments on your account.

The Shelby County Food Pantry needs donations. Donations can be made year round at the West Central Community Action on 7th Street in Harlan. Both non-perishable food items and non-food items can be donated.

​ The Harlan Senior Center is open for in-house dining.  Home delivery meals are $5.25.  Congregate meals are $5.  To reserve/order, please call the Senior Center at 755-2757 by 9:15 am the day before your meal.   To cancel a meal you have ordered, call the Senior Center at 755-2757 by 9:15 am the day before your meal is reserved.  The Harlan Senior Center also needs volunteers for December.

Hansen House Senior Living will be holding an Alzheimer's Support Group every fourth Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 am and an Alzheimer's Education Class every first Thursday of the month from 4:30-5:30pm.  Both the group and class will be held at Hansen House Senior Living.  Also every second Tuesday from 6 to 7 pm, Myrtue Medical Center will hold an Alzheimer's Support Group, presented by St. Croix Hospice.  This will be held at the Medical Center business entrance on Garfield in Harlan.

Attention Hunters!!!!  There will be a Hunter Safety Education Online Field Day, Saturday, April 1st from 8 am to noon at Nishna Bend Recreation Area south of Harlan.  Anyone born after January 1st, 1972 must complete a hunter safety education course in order to obtain an Iowa hunting license.  You must be 12 years old to take the class.  Go to iowadnr.gov/huntered and get signed up today.  Remember you must register for this field day online;; you must complete the online class before going to the field day AND you must bring your online completion voucher to be admitted to this field day.  If you have questions, call 744-3403. 

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Friday, January 27th - 
The Harlan Senior Center will be serving pork with bbq sauce, au gratin potatoes, whole kernel corn and fresh seasonal fruit.

Saturday, January 28th - 
ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH IN NEOLA INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM SATURDAY, JANUARY 28TH  FOR THEIR ANNUAL PARISH AUCTION, ”A WINTER WONDERLAND.”  MASS WILL BEGIN AT 4 O’CLOCK, THE STALEY’S CHICKEN DINNER AND A RAFFLE WILL BEGIN AT 4:30 AND THE LIVE AUCTION WILL START AT 6.  COST FOR DINNER IS 10-DOLLARS PER PERSON, $5 FOR THOSE 8 AND UNDER.  COME AND ENJOY STALEY’S CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES, COLE SLAW, GREEN BEANS, ROLLS AND DESSERTS! 

Sunday, January 29th - 
The Irwin Community  Building fundraiser will be held Sunday, January 29th, from 8 to noon at the Irwin Community Building.  Enjoy biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs and ham, toast, orange juice and coffee, plus a bake sale, all for a free-will donation.  The fundraiser helps with maintenance and expenses at the Community Building.

Shelby County Catholic School Pancake Breakfast and Open House will be held Sunday, January 29th, from 8:30 to 11:30 am.  They will be serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, coffee and juice.  A free-will offering will be accepted.  This event will be held in the Rosman Parish Center at 2005 College Place in Harlan.​

Monday, January 30th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have After School Activities from 3:30 to 4:30.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving liver and onions or a hamburger patty with onion gravy, whipped potatoes, mixed vegetables, white bread and fruited gelatin.

Tuesday, January 31st - 
The Harlan Community Library will have Tech Time at 3 pm and Bookworms from 3:30 to 4:30 pm

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving a BBQ rib patty, parslied potatoes, carrots and fresh seasonal fruit.

​The Harlan Community Jazz Concert will be held 7:30 pm, Tuesday, January 31st at the Harlan Community High School Auditorium.  They will be featuring Willie Murillo, producer, trumpeter and educator.  Entry is a free will offering.

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Wednesday, February 1st - 
Story Time will be held at the Harlan Community Library starting at 10 am. 

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving taco meat with shredded cheese, lettuce and tomato, pinto beans, tortilla chips and a brownie.

Thursday, February 2nd - 
The Harlan Community Library will  host an Adult Make and Take - Spa Night starting at 6 pm.

A Soup and Learn will be held at 6 pm, Thursday, February 2nd, at Hansen House Senior Living in Harlan. The program will be presented by Mindy Shaffer, Director of Hansen House.  To register, contact Mindy at 833-870-5182.

The Harlan Senior Center will  be serving tuna noodle casserole, green peas, white bread and hot pinapple tidbits.
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Friday, February 3rd - 
The Harlan Community Library will have Popcorn Fri-Yay!

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving chicken stuffing casserole, whipped potatoes with gravy, green beans, white bread and a baked cookie.

Saturday, February 4th - 
The Shelby County Cattlemen Annual Banquet will be held Saturday, February 4th at St. Mary's Parish Hall in Panama.  Social hour will start at 5 pm with a New York Strip Steak Dinner at 6.  Trophy and scholarship fund auction to follow.  Doors open at 5 pm.  The cost is $20 per person.  Tickets are available at the door or from any board member.

A local food workshop will be held from 1 to 4 pm, Saturday, February 4th, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic.  The workshop is for anyone who sells or is interested in selling foods including produce, meat, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, syrups, salsas, baked goods, prepared food, including food trucks and more.  Speakers and information on various topics including food safety and business licensing, how to sell food at farmers markets, grocery stores and more.  This is a free workshop.  No registration is required but RSVP’s are appreciated to Golden Hills RC&D Local Foods coordinator @ Jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org.​

Monday, February 6th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have an After School Movie - Lyle, Lyle, the Crocodile, starting at 3:30 pm

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving potato crusted fish, parslied rice, stewed tomatoes, white bread and pineapple tidbits.

Tuesday, February 7th - 
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Shelby  County Office, will be offering two opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course, led by Extension  Field Agronomist, Mike Witt.  The first session is scheduled for February 7th at 9:30 am at the Therkildsen Center in Harlan.  The course will be offered again on February 7th at 6:30 pm at the Therkildsen Center in Harlan.  Preregistration is not required.  The course will run for approximately 2 ½ hours including check-in and breaks.  The registration fee is $30.  To obtain additional information, contact the Shelby County Extension office at 755-3104.  The course will fulfill 2022-23 recertification requirements for private pesticide applicators.  Topics to be covered include:
Personal protective equipment
Safe handling
Storage of pesticides
Pests, pest management and pesticides.

​Myrtue Medical Center's 2023 Blood Analysis Screenings will be held February 7th through the 17th from 6:45 to 10:45 am at the Myrtue Medical Center Lab Department Clinic Entrance in Harlan.  Appointments are required by calling 755-4288 from 8 to 4 pm.  Walk-ins or add-ons to services will not be available the day of service.

The Harlan Community Library will have Tech Time in Person at 3 pm and the Bookworms will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving turkey ham with white beans, glazed baby carrots, cornbread and a lemon bar.

Wednesday, February 8th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have Story Time at 10 am 

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving meatloaf, baked sweet potato, cauliflower, dinner roll and a baked cookie.

Thursday, February 9th - 
The Harlan Community Library will host the LEGO Challenge at 6:30 pm.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving roast beef, brown gravy,  whipped potatoes, whole kernel corn, white bread and birthday cake.

Friday, February 10th - 
The Harlan Senior Center will be serving a breaded chicken patty, scalloped potatoes, green peas and fresh seasonal fruit.

Monday, February 13th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have After School Activities from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving chili, baked potato, tossed salad and hot spiced apples.

Tuesday, February 14th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have the Library and Lunch Book Club at noon.  Tech Time in Person will be held at 3 pm and the Bookworms will meet from 3:30 to 4:30.

The Harlan  Senior Center will be serving their Valentine's Day meal including oven fried chicken, whipped potatoes with gravy, seasoned green peas, donner roll and a cookie.

Wednesday, February 15th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have story Time at 10 am.  And they will also have the Classic Movie Series - Meet Me in St. Louis at 10 am.

Understanding Your Grief is a support and education program for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.  These grief classes will be held Tuesdays - February 21st and 28th and March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 9:30 to 11 am in the Myrtue Medical Center Board Room.  Registration is required by February 15th.   Call Cathy Jensen at 755-4424.  This class is provided at no cost.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving a hamburger patty, fresh onion slice, oven roasted potatoes, baked beans and fresh fruit.

Thursday, February 16th - 
The Harlan Community Library will host an Adult Speaker Program at 6 pm entitled "Just Before the  Battle, Mother" - a visit from a Civil War Soldier.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving sliced ham, baby red potatoes, roasted brusels sprouts, white bread and a cookie.

Friday, February 17th - 
The Shelby  County Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting its 2023 Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, February 17th, at the Harlan Golf and Country Club.  This year's theme is "Run for the Roses."  Doors open at 5 pm, networking and cash bar at 5:30.  At 6 pm, the meal will be served.  After dinner, it's game time: 50/50 Heads or Tails and Generational Trivia, followed by the awards ceremony.  During this time, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry will unveil award winners for 2022 Citizen/Volunteer of the Year, 2022 Non-Profit of the Year,  2022 New Chamber Member of the Year and 2022 Business of the Year.  

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving chicken fettuccini, broccoli, wheat bread and peach cobbler.

Saturday, February 18th - 
The next legislative coffee will be held Saturday, February 18th, starting at 10 am.  The event will be hosted and sponsored by Shelby County Farm Bureau at 908 6th Street in Harlan.
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Monday, February 20th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have After School Activities from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

The Harlan Senior Center will be closed for President's Day.

Tuesday, February 21st - 
The Harlan Community Library will hold Tech Time in Person at 3 pm, Bookworms from 3:30 to 4:30 and the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Book Club will meet at 7 pm.

The Harlan Senior Center w ill be serving country fried steak,country gravy, whipped potatoes, mixed vegetables, multi-grain bread and a baked cookie.

Wednesday, February 22nd - 
The Harlan Community Library will host Story Time at 10 am.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving their Ash Wednesday meal with macaroni and cheese, diced beets, seasoned green beans, wheat bread and strawberry shortcake cookie.

Thursday, February 23rd - 
The Harlan Community Library will host the Adult Creative Writing Group at 5 pm.  At 6:30 Family Fun Night will be held with STEM night.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving Salisbury beef, brown gravy, whipped potatoes, whole kernel corn, a dinner roll and pineapple tidbits.

Friday, February 24th - 
Join the Shelby  County Historical Museum and the Danish Windmill for Trivia Night!  The event will take place at the Shelby  County Historical Museum in Harlan starting at 7 pm on Friday, February 24th.  Grab a friend and test your knowledge of Danish Culture, American history and of course, Shelby County history.  Teams are encouraged, but not required.  Snacks, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and a fun n ight out will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving a cheese omelet, hash browns, spiced applesauce, wheat bread and orange juice.  

Saturday, February 25th - 
The 32nd Annual Audubon Lions Club Farm Toy Show will be held Saturday, February 25th, at the Agri-Hall  at the Audubon County Fairgrounds.  The show will be open 9 am to 2:30 pm.  Admission is $3 for adults and children 8 and under are free.  Lunch will be available and there will be door prizes, too.

The Harlan Community Library will host Adult Saturday Morning Scrabble from 9:30 to 11:30 .

Monday, February 27th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have After  School Activities from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. 

The Harlan Senior Center will be serving meatballs with gravy, whipped potatoes, broccoli, white bread and mixed fruit.

Tuesday, February 28th - 
The Harlan Community Library will have Tech Time at 3 pm and Bookworms from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

​The Harlan Senior Center will be serving spaghetti casserole, green peas, tossed salad, garlic bread and hot sliced peaches.

Saturday, April 1st - 
St. Joseph's Hall in Earling invite you to come hear Immaculee, Saturday, April 1st at the Hall.  She is a Rwandan genocide survivor and author of the New York Times best seller, "Left to Tell"  Purchase your tickets at Immaculee.com.  Singles are $57, two person ticket is $76.  Lunch is included in the price at the  Earling Hall and rides are available.

Wednesday, April 26th - 
The  Fun China Luncheon will be held Wednesday, April 26th from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Harlan Golf and Country Club.  They are looking for individuals, groups and businesses to decorate tables.  If  interested call the Chamber office at 755-2114.