Walking Through a Skywalk in Siouxland, Sioux City

I don’t often take advantage of the skywalk in Sioux City these days as I am not downtown very often and sadly, there are not many businesses down there to make their use necessary in colder weather. A skywalk is an interconnected walkway to various downtown buildings in a northern city to allow residents to get from one building to another without going out into the cold and blustery winter weather and trudging through whatever snow accumulation there might be.

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

This particular day I had some car work done near the downtown area, and as it was cold and I had time to kill, I took a walk. I had forgotten the views one can get from this higher vantage point of the downtown area of Sioux City. Some people use these to watch parades during certain holidays during the year.

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Most snow had vanished after a few days warm spell, but the prairie wind is always something to be reckoned with and although looking sunny and bright, temperatures hovered in the mid to high 20’s. But it was the light and shade and how it displayed itself on the buildings and within that caught my eye.

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Of course as one makes his/her way from one building to another, it’s always nice to have a sign post so you know you are headed in the right direction and didn’t lose your way through the hallways of various buildings. While it seems almost impossible to do, without that scarecrow standing on a post to help give directions, no matter how fickle, if you don’t use a path often it’s easy to take a wrong turn and end up one to two blocks aways from your destination. And while I believe in exercise, I hate being late and having to tell someone, yes, I did get lost in the skywalk. And then the laughing ensues.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seeing downtown Sioux City, Iowa from the town’s skywalk that overlooks city streets and connects various buildings helping residents avoid the cold and snow during the winter months, Dec. 18, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Festival of Trees in Siouxland, Sioux City

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The holiday season in Siouxland and other places provide a time to take stock of one’s place in life and current events and give some thanks for a good year and any kinds of blessings that occur. Most communities have various fund raisers taking place for various reasons throughout the year. During the Christmas holiday season organizations ask folk to decorate trees which are then auctioned and the proceeds go to one or more deserving, although all are, organizations locally which benefit from people bidding and those folk get a nicely decorated tree to see them through the holiday.

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Locally one such event occurs after a Lighted Parade and people can then go inside, warm up and see the creative decorations individuals and groups have used in decorating a tree. All the while a local dance company’s young “stars” perform and it makes a delightful evening of sharing and hopefully getting people into that Christmas spirit and again, giving one pause and a time to reflect and be grateful for all favors, large and small.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Lighted Parade in Siouxland, Sioux City

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Christmas holiday festivities have begun with many Siouxland communities. Lighted Parades, decorations and a feeling of Christmas cheer. While Christmas certainly is a commercial venture anymore, it’s pleasant to enjoy festivities as they are, coming together to celebrate a time of year for a promise that exceeds all worldly cares and dreams and a chance to once again be a child oneself. And to see children excited with anticipation and maybe a hope for a better time ahead.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

a the Sioux City Lighted Parade and events in Ho Chunk Center Monday evening, in downtown Sioux City, IowaNov. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Neighborhood Colors in Siouxland, Sioux City

Fall leaves along a residential street in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

As the weather keeps changing from fall temperatures of the 40’s to winter temps of the 20’s and 30’s in all of a week, the colors, of what there is keep dwindling. Soon the leaves will just be falling off the trees because of the cold overnight temps. Winter seems intent on arriving early this year. Another couple of weeks of fall weather would be nice, but Mom Nature doesn’t seem to agree. Until then I hope to find some more “local” color which on nice days is doable. A walk in the neighborhood can always bring pleasant surprises.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Fall leaves along a residential street in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Fall is Coming to Siouxland, Stone State Park

at Stone State Park inSioux City, Iowa Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.

Even though weather-wise it feels like autumn has arrived in Siouxland, the weather this year has been so wacky that one day it’s extremely cool, the next hitting the 80’s and 90’s. Recently a Mother Nature mood swing had the area doing a 50 degree temperature swing. Colors are just beginning to show on trees and I am hopeful to get out and see them before more weather makes leaves drop prior to their coming into a full autumn delight.

at Stone State Park inSioux City, Iowa Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.

 

at Stone State Park inSioux City, Iowa Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.

A recent hike through a local state park, Stone State Park, the foliage was still very green. The park is always a nice walk on the roadways or hikes on the trails. After a recent rain I stuck to the roadways as slippery leaves and trails can sometimes add more excitement for my descent down a steep incline that I particularly want to enjoy. Bouncing along isn’t my idea of fun these days, or hobbling back to my vehicle. But fall is a favorite time of year for myself and for others too. Nature gets to display her beauty in ways that are worth waiting an entire year for. Just hoping it’s not a quick view this year.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

at Stone State Park inSioux City, Iowa Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.

 

at Stone State Park inSioux City, Iowa Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.

Finding Art in Siouxland, Sioux City

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Most times one finds art in local museums, or people’s homes. But sometimes one can find art just outside their doorway, or back door, as it happens. Recently Sioux City sponsored an art fest and invited people to pay a fee and come in and create, or watch people create, art on walls of an alley. A number of local communities have been doing this for sometime now. Rock Rapids in north Siouxland is one such place that has artists create murals, mostly historic in nature, on city walls for a number of years.

And it’s nice to see Sioux City joining other communities in this trend. A lot of nice pieces were created in the alley, although now that the festival has passed, there is no signage pointing out this art is here for the viewing and a visitor would never know, let along possibly wanting to walk into a dark alley to find such art.

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Le Mars is another community that has art decorating its alley ways. This has been going on sometime as well with a new piece being added every year or so. And it’s nice to see communities adding something of value through an artistic endeavor, depending one’s point of view.

A Photo Safari class pauses in an alley to photograph wall murals in Le Mars, Iowa Saturday Oct. 22, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Photographically it’s challenging to make an image of the art even in daylight. High ISO’s are a must and I noticed the day of the event that large lights were places throughout the alley to give the artists enough light to create their images.

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And while I was walking through the area I was pleased to see a couple more people come in and view a couple of the pieces. So maybe more folk will show up to enjoy the work that someone spent some time to create. I just hope that maybe some kind of signage might point the less informed to these artistic endeavors so they too can see the talent of possibly local or area artists who shared their vision with anyone who happens by.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seen is the resulting mural work by artists done during the 21 Art Fest on September 21 in Sioux City, Iowa Wendesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Concerts in the Park in Siouxland, Sioux City Municipal Band

Summer is that season everywhere and here in Siouxland as well when all want a chance to relax and enjoy local festivities and other forms of entertainment. The local Sioux City Municipal Band has been playing summer concerts for a number of years. It’s a free event and people can bring lawn chairs, pack a snack or summer and sit back and enjoy the sounds which can include patriotic tunes, show tunes, movie tunes and classical tunes. Although I am sure music aficionados would not refer to the music as tunes.

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The musicians themselves spend the time to practice and then play these summer evenings which occasionally can include thunderstorms and most likely hot and humid nights towards the end of July. But they persevere as well as perspire like the rest of us, they just don’t show it. But it’s a nice event for local residents and those visiting family over the summer months. The 8-week long series varies with the music selection year to year. But their performance never varies, always enjoyable.

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Something residents can look forward too again next year now that the last performance has come and gone and as parent’s thoughts return to the coming school year and others to autumn season which is just around the corner. Instead of hearing the municipal band’s music wafting over the neighborhood Sunday nights, some will begin hearing marching band music Friday nights as the local high school football season kicks off and a different kind of entertainment marks another season of its own.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The Sioux City Municipal Band performs at the Band Shell in Grandview Park as part of a free summer entertainment series Sunday, July 14, 2019. Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)