ADDITIONAL AND ONGOING PROJECTS
1. The FEDC sponsors a Welcome Wagon with volunteers visiting all new families that move to the community. In addition to the visit, they are given a brochure telling about community organizations, churches, and services that are offered as well as scheduled times when various offices are open and services are available.2. Each September, all families new to the community are invited to a potluck supper in the school commons to meet other members of the community. The honored guests do not have to bring food and are treated by what is brought by the rest of the community. Usually around 100 people attend the event.
3. Each year, the Farnam Lions Club organizes the Community Carnival that is usually held in February or March in the school gym. All organizations in town, including the FIF club, Firemen, EMTs, FEDC, North Aid club, American Legion Auxiliary, Founders Car Show Committee and all school classes 6-12, run the kitchen and have booths and games for people to play. The money raised, which is usually in the neighborhood of $3,000, is used to fund school scholarships and community projects. The fund has helped establish the Senior/Community Center, put playground equipment in the park and help pay for the new fire truck. Some of the fund was also used to help purchase the new “used” Christmas decorations. Money from this activity has also been used for community clean-up costs, new picnic tables for community use, and funding some tree board activities.
4. Founders’ Days is held each year on the 4th weekend in June. The committee that organizes the celebration is a sub-committee of the FEDC. The weekend includes a parade on Saturday morning, lunch in the park with entertainment and games following. There is also a car show; the alumni honorees are recognized in the park during the noon meal, various vendors in the park, and a rib cook off in the evening. On Sunday, a community church service is held in the park followed by a cooperative dinner served by the volunteer firemen. In the afternoon and evening, a team roping is held at the roping arena.
5. Each year, the community hosts a Red Cross blood mobile in March and a second one in August and another in December. Food is provided for the donors and the turn out is usually very good.
6. Annually, the FIF club sponsors an Easter Egg hunt for children through the sixth grade. They hunt for candy and the Easter Bunny is present handing out plastic eggs containing a half dollar to each of the participants.
7. “Christmas in a Small Town is held each year toward the beginning of December. People are encouraged to visit each business and then a supper is served at the Senior Center. Drawings sponsored by various businesses and organizations are held during the supper.
8. The FEDC sponsors a Community Calendar that lists all of the anniversaries and birthdays in the community. The calendar is sold for $10.00 and the profits help the FEDC with their expenses.
9. The United Methodist Church sponsors Monday Night Kids during the school year for children in grades K-6. The group provides song, bible stories, a snack and social activities for the children.
10. The Nazarene Church sponsors Caravan and NYI each Wednesday night during the school year. Many religious based learning activities are enjoyed by those involved.
11. Vacation Bible Schools are held during the summer at the Nazarene and Methodist Churches. All children of the community are invited to attend.
12. The Legion Auxiliary and Nazarene Church sponsors a hot chocolate, cider, cookie and other snack location for the trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. All children are welcome to come and enjoy a snack during their trick or treat campaign.
13. The Legion Club sponsors a Memorial Day program at the cemetery during the morning of this holiday. A speaker gives a talk on some topic related to the day and the firing squad gives a salute to the dead followed by taps and an echo.
14. The American Legion Auxiliary holds a dinner at noon at the Senior Center on Memorial Day. This provides many visitors a place to eat and a chance for people to visit. A free will offering is taken.
15. The Farnam Economic Development Corporation sponsors a child-sized train with each car advertising a business or organization of the community. Each business and organization that wants to have a car in the train pays for the construction of the car. Last year the train was taken to parades in Cozad, Gothenburg and Cozad in addition to the Farnam parade. The train is composed of 17 “barrel” cars.
16. The local vineyard and winery has been producing grapes for six years now and local individuals volunteer their time to help pick the grapes.
17. The Farnam Economic Development Corporation sponsored its fourth annual hamburger feed for all school staff at the beginning of the school year. The Corporation grilled hamburgers and provideddrinks. Ice cream cones were provided for dessert.
18. The FEDC works with 6 other Hi-Line Communities to sponsor a day of garage sales running from Eustis to Wellfleet.
19. The FIF Club sponsored a community Halloween party for families. Treats and games were enjoyed and prizes were awarded in a variety of categories by age for creative costumes.
20. The community Leadership Group is in its second year. The members have finished their study section and are now working on their very ambitious Capstone Project of finding a positive use for the old elementary school building, which is no longer in use.
21. A girl scout troop has been formed for the first time in many years in Farnam.
22. Each year, the Legion Auxiliary holds a Senior Party which honors all citizens in the community who are 75 years of age or older.
