Capital Call Winery invites you to Middlebrook Farm, just 10 minutes from West Glen, for an evening celebrating fine wine, exceptional cuisine, and Iowa spirit, featuring special guest Chef Grant Gillon—MasterChef Season 13 Champion. Chef Grant rose to fame showcasing his skill, creativity, and passion for bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and culinary excellence, making him a standout in the Iowa food scene.

Join us for a Wagyu Flight hosted by The Good Butcher and Capital Call Vintners, where you’ll explore the unique qualities of American Wagyu, Japanese A5, and Australian Wagyu. Chef Terry Boston, who has spent nearly four decades perfecting his craft in Des Moines, will demonstrate accessible cooking techniques and offer practical advice on preparing these premium ribeyes at home.

Butcher Calvin Schnucker, owner of The Good Butcher, will share his experience selecting and sourcing top-tier Wagyu, shedding light on how each region influences flavor and texture.

Following the demonstration, gather around for a family-style meal featuring these specially prepared ribeyes, along with sides created by Chef Terry. Capital Call Vintners will enhance the evening by curating wines, presented by Guillermo Munoz, Midwest Regional Distribution Manager.

Reserve your place for a relaxed evening of learning, culinary discovery, and memorable tastes—perfect for those who love great food, wine, and new techniques.

Join us for an inspiring Vision Board Workshop where we’ll explore the art of goal setting and create vision boards to help make 2026 your best year yet! Whether you're looking to advance your career, start a new chapter, or simply set a positive tone for the new year, this workshop will help you chart a clear and inspiring path forward.

Friday, September 12
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Norwalk Easter Public Library
1051 North Avenue • Norwalk
Lunch catered by The Chicken
Workshop Facilitator: Mel Guanci

What to Expect:

Networking & Inspiration
Connect with like-minded women, share your ambitions, and draw motivation from our supportive community.

Goal Setting
Discover effective techniques for setting and achieving both personal and professional goals. Learn strategies to define your objectives and map out actionable steps.

Vision Board Creation
Turn your dreams into reality with a personalized vision board! All materials will be provided to help you visualize your goals and aspirations for the coming year.

See you there!

Join us for the Norwalk Area Chamber Member Open House! This is your opportunity to discover how to maximize your chamber membership to grow your business and strengthen your professional network.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Chamber offices at 1043 Sunset Dr. UNIT 4 in Norwalk, IA 50211

Spend your lunch hour connecting with fellow members and learning about the tools, resources, and opportunities available to help you succeed. Whether you’re new to the chamber or a long-time member, there’s always something valuable to gain.

Don’t miss:

• Tips on leveraging chamber resources for business growth
• Networking opportunities with other local business professionals
• Insights on upcoming events and initiatives for 2025

We look forward to seeing you there! Lunch will be provided, so RSVP today to save your spot.

Let’s make this year your best yet!

We’re thrilled to announce that our September Member Breakfast will be hosted at the beautiful Wilson's Orchard & Farm! 🌳🍎 A huge thanks to the Wilson's team for making this possible—this will be a fantastic event, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Date: Thursday, September 18th
Time: 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Location: Wilson's Orchard & Farm,
3201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 50061

Schedule:

Arrival & Networking
Welcome & Announcements
Program
Drawing & Tour Wilson’s Orchard & Farm

Mark your calendars—this is one event you won’t want to miss! 🌾✨

Looking forward to seeing you there!

If you're a business and would like to have a table at the Ember Market, you are in the right place!

Date: September 24th
Time: 4:30-8:00 PM
Location:  1951 E 18th St Suite 107, Norwalk, IA 50211

Who will be joining you:

• Ember Market  – Clothing & Accessories: Shop the Fall Collection
• Ted Lare Design + Build – Stylish Home Decor, Gifts, and unique finds.
• Midwest Meets Design – Party Supplies + More

Join us at the Middlebrook Farmhouse for a seasonal cooking series with Mosa Shayan, Middlebrook Farm Manager and Brandy Shayan, The Grateful Chef!

As Brandy prepares a delicious, seasonally inspired dish using ingredients from Middlebrook's garden, the pair will share their tips and tricks for cooking with fresh, farm-grown ingredients. This class is perfect for anyone who loves healthy food, fresh flavors, and gathering around the table. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just getting started, you’ll leave with inspiration for your own kitchen.

At the end of the demonstration, attendees will get to sample Brandy’s creation and enjoy the flavors of the season together. The farm stand will also be open for those that would like to purchase the produce used.

Please note: We are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions for this event.

When was the last time you truly enjoyed yourself? 

​Not to check a box. Not to be productive. But simply for the joy of it.

Between deadlines, responsibilities, and the ever-spinning mental load, many women push joy to the back burner—forgetting that it’s not a luxury, but fuel.

In this engaging and interactive event, followed by breakout sessions to dive even deeper, we’ll explore:

• How memories, connections, and mindset shape your capacity for joy
• Why joy is a muscle—and how to strengthen it without adding more to your plate
• The permission slip you didn’t know you needed to make joy a priority
• Practical strategies to build your own Joy List and create a Joy Calendar that works in real life

Together, we’ll clear the roadblocks, rediscover what makes you come alive, and make joy non-negotiable. Because when women lead with joy, the ripple effect is undeniable.

AGENDA:

8:30 – 8:45 AM – Arrival, Networking & Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 AM – Welcome (Mel Guanci)
9:00 – 9:30 AM – Keynote: Joy is My Job. Reclaiming What Fuels You.
9:30 – 9:45 AM – Break
9:45 – 10:45 AM – Breakout: Where’s the Joy? Permission and Planning.
10:45  – 11:00  – Break
11:00 – 11:15 AM – Joy is my Job Toolkit
10:45 – 11:30 AM – Joy Swap & Networking

JOY IS MY JOB TOOLKIT

A Day to Reclaim What Fuels You — and Take It With You

Joy isn’t a luxury—it’s fuel. And in this energizing keynote and breakout workshop, you’ll get the space, strategies, and tools to bring more of it into your real life (not just the highlight reel).

Each participant will receive a custom Joy is my Job Toolkit—designed to help you build sustainable, soul-filling habits that stick long after the event ends.

You’ll walk away with:

• A personal joy practice that fits into everyday life
• A deeper understanding of how joy shapes memory, mindset, and connection 
• A tangible reminder that joy isn’t selfish—it’s your secret superpower

What’s inside the Joy is my Job Toolkit:

• Brainstorming prompts to rediscover what lights you up
• Reflection worksheets to clear roadblocks and reset your mindset
• Joy List and Joy Calendar templates to help joy become a habit
• Ten everyday joy challenges (think mini-missions that actually fit your schedule
• A DIY Joy Scavenger Hunt to spark curiosity and fun

This isn’t fluff. It’s fuel.

Joy is a muscle—and this is your training ground.

We hope to see you there!