Make it a Watermelon Warrior Chirstmas Charlie Brown!

UPDATED 12-05
Of course we were bound to forget some other good gift ideas for your Watermelon Warrior Christmas. See our update under "Good Eats".

Thanksgiving is in the books and its time for some Christmas shopping. We love spreading the love to the "best small town in the world" (Stanhope) and “God’s Country Iowa” (Southern Hamilton County). So here, the Board of Governors at Stanhope State University recommends these GREAT ideas for gifts and stops to make your Christmas, a Watermelon Warrior Christmas.

Good Eats
A new spot in downtown Jewell is Mishelle’s Food and Spirits. Mishelle serves up a huge menu, great prices and cool atmosphere. The décor is all old school Jewell. Old signs (two very nice big ones on the walls), pictures on the walls and on the bar, and the booths are made from the wood off of old barn in the Jewell area. Get the burgers there. We didn’t ask what they do to them, but they taste kind of like a deburgo or something. They are off the hook (this is good thing). Check out Mishelle’s and tell them the folks at Stanhope State sent you.


UPDATE We recieved an email from our favorite Fort lauderDodge Stanhope Stater Suzanne Schwendemann. She's a rep for Homemade Gourmet. We can attest the stuff she sells tastes great. Especially the salza she brought to the Young Family Christmas a couple of weeks ago (it was crazy good). Check out her site here. Be sure to click on "about me" for her recipe of the week and buy a ton of this good food.

Places to Shop for a One of a Kind Gift:
Family Pharmacy in Jewell: They always have neat holiday decorations and gifts. There are a few good local souvenirs as well. Plus, this Watermelon Warrior can attest to the friendly service (my Mom).
Junction on Main in Jewell: It’s in the Farm Store on the north side of downtown. Again, huge amounts of gifts, candles, ect. Worth the stop for a one of a kind gift.

Antiques, Let’s go Junkin!:
The Sister Act in Ellsworth: You gotta stop ever week, because there’s always new great stuff there. You never know what you will find!
Stanhope Hardware in Stanhope: Hardware store turned antique mall. You’ll find lots of vintage Stanhope stuff there.
C & H Vintage Treasures in Jewell: The new antique joint on the corner of Main and Edwards in the old Hatchery. It’s worth stopping just to see the hatchery all renovated.

3 Unique Gifts for the Watermelon Warrior on your list:
Stanhope Beef Jerky from the Stanhope Locker: It’s the gift that keeps on giving… until you eat it all. It’s “better than the best beef jerky”. We plan on leaving this for Santa instead of cookies… and trust us; Santa will reward you for it!
South Hamilton Record News subscription: Want more scoop on what’s going on other than checking Stanhope State? Give a subscription the Record News so you can be in the loop on the latest in God’s Country and keep track on South Hamilton Hawk Athletics.
Piano Lessons at Amazing Grace in Stanhope: This piano studio is the new local phenom. They teach their students by ear rather by notes. We spoke about them during our Watermelon Day coverage. Give the gift of good tunes this year.

Did we miss any other good stops or gifts for this season? Let us know and place a comment below. The Board at Stanhope State urges everyone to shop local and support these local merchants.