Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Discover Alaska! August 26, 2012-September 8, 2012

Nearly 70 Commander Club and Crawford Club members have reserved their passage on our Alaskan Tour/Cruise August 26-September 28, 2012.

The first six days of our trip will be on land, and the last seven days of our trip will be spent cruising aboard the Sapphire Princess. We will begin our Alaska trip in Fairbanks where we will visit the El Dorado Gold Mine, pan for gold, the...n continue on an authentic Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise, which will take us to an Athabascan fishing village.

The next three days will be spent in Denali/Mt. McKinley where we will enjoy the "music of Denali" dinner theater, take a Tundra Wilderness tour, eat at the King Salmon Restaurant and enjoy the natural beauty of Denali National Park.

From McKinley, we will travel by rain to Whittier where we will board the cruise ship. We will be traveling the inside passage with many stops along the way. At Glacier Bay, a naturalist will board the ship. We will stop at Skagway, an artsy community, where a walking tour is available, or you can choose to take a train ride. Travelers will have the opportunity to visit the museum at Skagway, or stop by the Red Onion and take a brothel tour.

Our ship will port in Alaska's Capital, Juneau (you can only travel to Juneau by sea or air), where we can walk to the state capital, ride a tramway up the mountain or stop by the Red Dog Saloon.

From Juneau, we will take a coach to Mendenhall Glacier. Ketchikan is a great place for fishing, and when our ship ports there, you will have plenty of time. You could also tour the totem poles or take a draft horse carriage tour. We encourage everyone to drop by Miss Molly's in Ketchikan.

The trip is all-inclusive and ranges in price per person from an inside cabin ($3998) to a Mini Suite with Balcony ($5198). If a trip to Alaska is on your "bucket list" you'll want to reserve your spot today. Initial reservations were due on November 1, 2011, but we can take additional passengers, as long as air space is available.


From Salt Mines to the Yellow Brick Road -- April 2012

From Salt Mines to the Yellow Brick Road.  Let us show you some hidden gems in Kansas to discover.  Step back into the golden era of vaudeville when you tour the Historic Fox theater in Hutchinson.  Travel 650 feet under the Kansas Prairie to tour the Kansas Underground Salt Mine (Museum) which you have to experience to believe.  This extraordinary attraction is one you won't want to miss.  Visit the village of Yoder, Kansas to take an authentic buggy ride and get a real taste of Amish life.  Another world class attraction awaits at the Kansas Cosmosphere where space travel meets you up close.  Relive the space race with Russia and see artifacts from America's three space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, the only facility in the US to house all three.  And finally travel the Yellow Brick Road at the Oz Museum where you will relive the movie that made history and after your visit you can honestly say "We're not in Kansas anymore."  Don't miss out on this fun three day motor coach tour in April, 2012.  Dates and registration fees will be posted soon.

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival

It's the perfect time to visit when the lilacs are in full bloom, June 9-16, 2012, for our coach tour to Michigan. The trip includes accommodations at the Grand Hotel, horsedrawn carriage tour, leisure time on Mackinac Island, a trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens, Michigan's Little Bavaria-Frankenmuth, Bonner's Christmas World, Ford's F-150 Truck Factory, the Henry Ford Museum and a Mississippi River Dinner Cruise on our ride home. A few details are still in the planning stage, but we anticipate this trip to cost around $1560 per person. The deadline to register is April 9, 2012.

The Fab Four are Coming to Ames

Since its founding in 1997, the Fab Four, a Beatles tribute band, has played at Disneyland, the United Kingdom and just about everywhere around the globe. The popular group will be a Stephen's Auditorium, Iowa State University, on Friday, March 23, as part of the Performing Arts series.

The Fab Four is noted for its excellent renditions of hits like, "Can't Buy Me Love," "Yesterday" and "Hey Jud...e." Its reperoire covers nearly the entire Beatles catalog, as well as some of the players' solo material. The band adds to the realism of its shows with three costume changes charting the evolution of their honorees over the years of their career.

We have 50 tickets to the hottest show in town. We'll start our evening with a bar-b-q feast at Hickory Park Restaurant in Ames. If you are interest, call the bank 755-5112 and add your name to the list. The cost is $100 per person.

Join Us for Movie Day, Tuesday December 20, 2011

Join us the Commanders for Movie Day, Tuesday, December 20, at the Harlan Theater. 
Coffee & Rolls at 8:30 am, the movie will play at 9:00 am.

Our feature film will be New Year's Eve, rated PG 13.

New Year’s Eve celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in the intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. 

Directed by Gary Marshall, this show is filled with a star-studded cast:  Michele Pfeifer, Zac Efron, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Alyssa Milano, Jessica Beil, Seth Myers, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michelle, James Belushi, Sarah Jessica Parker, Penny Marshall, Ryan Seacrest and many others.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Join us for Movie Day, Tuesday, Noember 15

Join us for Movie Day on Tuesday, November 15.  Coffee & rolls at 8:30 am & the movie at 9:00am.  Our feature this month is Courageous, rated PG-13.

Four police officers attempt to put their faith in God after a sudden and unexpected tragedy transforms their lives forever. Produced by Sherwood Pictures, the Christian production company behind such popular films as Fireproof and Facing the Giants, Courageous follows dedicated cops Adam Mitchell and Nathan Hayes as they work with their partners to keep the streets safe. But when these devoted peacekeepers face the challenge of fatherhood, both their faith and devotion to family are put to the ultimate test. In the aftermath of a devastating calamity, they are faced with a difficult choice that will ultimately come to define their lives. Fortunately, a wise mentor appears to help them understand that man's ambition and God's will aren't always in perfect harmony.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Another day in DC

The weather was glorious on Day 4 of our trip.  We began our day in Mount Vernon.  Then we came back to the city for tours of the Marine Corps Museum, had dinner at Union Station, then went on a night tour.  If you want to see all of the pictures from our DC trip, check out our facebook page.
Waiting for a tour of Mount Vernon
Cynda Juhl is ready for action.


Waiting on the piazza of George Washington's home.

Jean Christensen steps back in time.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Commanders arrive in Washington DC 10-13-11

On the steps of the Basilica, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conceptions

The Basilica is filled with over 70 chapels, given as gifts from many foreign countries.  This is a Byzantine Chapel.

Waiting to go through security at Regan National/World Trade Convention Center

One of the statues inside the Basilica

If you would like to see all of the photos from today's tours, check out our facebook page.
We left for the Omaha Airport at 4:45 am. We arrived at Washington National at 10:30 am, ate lunch at the International Trade Center, saw the National Cathedral from the coach (getting repairs after the earthquake), toured Embassy Row, toured the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, visited the National Archives and sat through a tornado warning in our hotel. We closed with dinner/dessert at Bob Rogers restaurant, and were back to our rooms at 7:30 to turn in for the night.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Movie Day October 18 -- Money Ball

Come join us on Tuesday, October 18 at the Harlan Theater to see

Money Ball

Brad Pitt stars in the real-life tale of Major League Baseball general manager Billy Beane, who built up a winning team despite a decreased budget thanks to his sly use of statistical data to calculate the best -- and cheapest -- players for his roster. Aaron Sorkin updates Steve Zaillian's adaptation of Michael Lewis' fly-on-the-wall novel for Columbia Pictures, with Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman co-starring. PG-13

Coffee & Rolls 8:30
Movie 9:00

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Movie Day September 27

Come see, The Help, on Tuesday, September 27.
Coffee & rolls at 8:30 am and the movie begins at 9:00 at the Harlan Theater.

The Help is a 1960s-era Mississippi debutante sends her community into an uproar by conducting a series of probing interviews with the black servants behind some of her community's most prominent families. Skeeter (Emma Stone) has just graduated from college, and she's eager to launch her career as a writer. In a moment of inspiration, Skeeter decides to focus her attention on the black female servants who work in her community. Her first subject is Aibileen (Viola Davis), the devoted housekeeper who has been employed by Skeeter's best friend's family for years. By speaking with Aibileen, Skeeter becomes an object of scorn to the wealthy locals, who view her actions as directly challenging to the established social order. Before long, even more servants are coming forward to tell their stories, and Skeeter discovers that friendship can blossom under the most unlikely of circumstances. Bryce Dallas Howard co-stars in a touching tale of race relations based on author Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel of the same name. … 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Away in the Basement with the Church Basement Ladies

And out of the basement shall come a Church Basement program of good tidings, great humor and joy!  The ladies are serving it up again, this time around it’s an all-new holiday show.  Troupe America, Inc., the producer of the nationally acclaimed musical comedy Church Basement Ladies and Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping celebrates the holiday season with a new musical comedy Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas  Away in the Basement takes us back to 1959 and the day of the Sunday School Christmas Program.  In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present.  Content to do things the way they have always been done yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program.  As the children rehearse up in the sanctuary, several of the ladies of the kitchen are finishing up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts and ribbon candy while the others put the final touches on the nativity pieces.  As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them.  Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day!

The Commanders will travel to Iowa Western Community College for a 2:00 pm show on Saturday, November 12.  The cost is $82 per person.  Call the bank 755-5112 right away, because these tickets won’t last long.

Movie Day is postponed

Our movie day for September has been postponed until Tuesday, September 27. 

Stay tuned for movie details -- I'll publish those next week!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Upcoming Commander Club Events

SEE BLOGS BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EACH TRIP

September 23, 2011:  Jersey Boys, Omaha
October 13-17, 2011: Washington, D.C. by air
November 5-8, 2011:  Branson, Missouri
November 12, 2011:  Church Basement Ladies
March 23, 2012:  Fab Four, Ames
August 26-September 8, 2012: Discover Alaska tour and cruise

Discover Alaska Travel Meeting

Together with Crawford County Bank, the SCSB Commander Club presents a 13 night Alaska Tour/Cruise on August 26, 2012.  This trip includes roundtrip motorcoach to and from the airport, six night’s accommodations during the tour and seven nights on the Sapphire Princess cruise ship. If you are interested in this trip, plan to attend a travel meeting on Saturday, September 17 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Cronk’s Café in Denison.  Need a ride to the meeting?  Give Teresa a call at the bank, 755-5112.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Movie Day -- August 23, 2011

Crazy Stupid Love

Rating: PG-13 · Genre: Comedy, Romance · Run time: 1 hrs 57 min

Synopsis: Sad-sack divorcee Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) finds his second wind in life after meeting a handsome young ladies' man who teaches him how to become a master of the modern dating scene. A devoted family man who married his high school sweetheart, Cal had a great house and a stable job when his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), left him to be with another man. When Emily announces that she's filing for divorce, Cal finds himself awkwardly thrust into the dating scene and begins drinking his nights away at the local pub. Just when it's starting to look as if there's no hope for Cal, confirmed bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) decides to add some much-needed excitement to the sulking, newly single father's life. Before long, Cal's rough edges have all been smoothed out; he's mastered the fine art of flirting and develops a distinct sense of style that sets him apart from the pack. But just as Cal starts to turn heads, his adolescent son, Robbie, develops a big crush on his teenage babysitter, Jessica. Unfortunately for Robbie, Jessica only has eyes for Cal. Meanwhile, Cal can't help but feel like something substantial is missing from his life, and decides that the only way to set things straight is by listening to his heart.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Older Iowan Day at the Iowa State Fair

Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair for entertainment, animals, history, agriculture food and fun!  Join the Commanders on 17th in Des Moines.  Our motor coach has permission to enter the fair grounds and drop us off at Ye Old Mill.  Save your energy to walk around the fairgrounds and enjoy yourself!    If you are interested in attending, call Penny or Teresa at the bank 755-5112.  The deadline for registration is July 29, 2011.

The cost is $50, which includes transportation and admission to the fair. 

Itinerary
7:30 am  Depart Denison
8:00 am Depart Harlan (SCSB West Branch)
Snacks & Water on the coach
You CAN take your water bottle into the fair with you!
All food/drink at the fair is on your own.
5:00 pm Depart for home
7:00 pm Arrive Harlan
7:45 pm Arrive Denison

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Fabulous fall colors in Washington D.C. -- October 13-17, 2011

Travel by air to enjoy the fall beauty of our nation's capital.  Brochures are available at the bank. 

Day One:  Travel Day/Washington National Cathedral/Embassy Row/National Archives

Day Two: Supreme court Building/US Library of Congress/United States Capitol/FDR, MLK, Vitnam, Lincoln, Korean War Memorials/National Portrait Gallery

Day Three: Newseum/Smithsonian Free Time

Day Four: Mount Vernon/National Museum of the Marine Corps/Union Station/Illuminated Monument Tour

Day 5: Udvar-Hazy Center/Arlington National Cemetary/Marine Corp War Memorial/National WW2 Memorial/Travel Home

Cost is $1495 per person (double) 
Deadline for Registration:  August 5, 2011







Come See the Fab Four March 23, 2012

Since its founding in 1997, The Fab Four, a Beatles tribute band, has played at Disneyland, the United Kingdom and just about everywhere around the globe. The popular group will be at Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University on Friday, March 23 as part of the Performing Arts series.
The Fab Four is noted for its excellent renditions of hits like, "Can't Buy Me Love," "Yesterday" and "Hey Jude." Its repertoire covers nearly the entire Beatles catalog, as well as some of the players' solo material. The band adds to the realism of its shows with three costume changes charting the evolution of their honorees over the years of their career.

We will have more information available as we get closer to the concert date.

The Jersey Boys are Coming to Omaha!

Travel with the Commander Club to see the Jersey Boys at the Orpheum in Omaha on Friday, September 23, 2011!

How did four blue-collar kids become one of the greatest successes in pop music history? Find out at the runaway smash-hit, JERSEY BOYS. Winner of the Best Musical Award on Broadway, in London and Australia, this blockbuster phenomenon takes you up the charts, across the country and behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Experience electrifying performances of the golden greats that took these guys all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Dawn," "My Eyes Adored You," and more. Don't miss the international sensation that's a Broadway triumph, was named the number one show in Las Vegas and continues to break records in cities across America - bringing countless audiences to their feet. As The New York Times says, "The crowd goes wild!"

This trip costs $125 per person and includes transportation, dinner, gratuities, and main floor tickets for the show.

Itinerary
4:45 pm  Leave Denison
5:15 pm  Leave Harlan (West Branch SCSB)
6:30 pm  Catered Dinner at Noodle Zoo in Dundee
(if time permits, we'll take a little bus tour through the historic area Dundee)
8:00 pm SHOWTIME
11:15 pm Return Harlan
11:45 pm Return Denison

Visit Branson November 5-8, 2011



Come travel with us to Branson Missouri, November 5-8!
Here's the lineup of shows:
1) Baldknobbers (one of theoriginal shows in Branson - funny)
2) Red, Hot & Blue (music from 40's 50's 60's & 70's)
3) Yakov Smirnoff (Russian comedian)
4) Clay Cooper (wide variety of country music)
5) Daniel O'Donnell (Irish tenor)
6) Joseph Hall's Elvis Tribute (top 10 on America's Got Talent in 2008)
7) College of the Ozarks tour

plus extended continental breakfast each morning, three evening dinners (not buffets), and one lunch.

The motor coach, gratuities, snacks and water are also included in your low price of $619 per person (based on double occupancy).

We are sharing this trip with the Crawford County Bank from Denison.  It will fill quickly, so sign up TODAY!


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Movie Day -- Tuesday, July 19, 2011


Zookeeper
In "The Zookeeper," the animals at the zoo adore their caretaker Andrew (Kevin James), an amiable but lonely guy who's never quite fit in. Finding himself more comfortable with a lion than a lady, Andrew decides he should leave the zoo and get a life. When the zoo animals discover his plan they decide to break their code of silence and reveal their biggest secret: they can talk! Now they won't shut up and they're teaching Andrew nature's best mating rituals. To help him win the girl of his dreams (Rosario Dawson) and save their happy family they're willing to do - or say - anything. PG

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Movie Day -- Tuesday June 21, 2011

8:30 am Coffee & Rolls
9:00 am Movie at the Harlan Theater

Water for Elephants (PG-13) starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider.

Synopsis: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, based on the acclaimed number-one bestselling book, presents an epic tale of forbidden love in a magical place filled with adventure, wonder and great danger. A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.  The student from the wrong side of the tracks, Jacob, meets and falls in love with Marlena, a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the Big Top and come together through their compassion for a special elephant.  Against all odds -- including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August, Jacob and Marlena find a lifelong love.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Grotto of the Redemption -- POW Museum June 29, 2011

Trip Cancelled due to lack of interest.  Check back in the fall, we will try to reschedule for sometime in September or October...


Take a day and discover Iowa with the Commanders. $90 will buy your lunch, dinner and admission to the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend AND the POW Museum in Algona.

The Grotto of the Redemption at West Bend, Iowa is the largest Grotto in the world.  Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Grotto represents a vast collection of minerals and stone -- petrified wood, stalactite and stalagmite, malachite, jasper, quartz, crystals and many more.  Italian Mosaic and Carrara marble statues adorn the geological wonder.  Read more about the history of the Grotto by visiting their website: http://www.westbendgrotto.com/.

During WWII, Algona, Iowa was the site of a main camp for prisoners of war.  This camp was the "home" for 10,000 German prisoners from April 1944 to February 1946.  This unique museum features artifacts and military personnel and German prisoners brought together by the war.  You can see many pictures and personal accounts on the Camp Algona website: http://www.pwcamp.algona.org/.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Folklorama, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- August 4-8, 2011


Explore the world:  in CANADA. 

Day 1: Travel Day
Day 2: Mennonite Heritage Village/Folklorama Tour Guide/3 Folklorama Pavillions
Day 3: Royal Canadian Mint Tour/Forks National Historic Site/Forks Market/Manitoba Museum/3 Folklorama Pavillions
Day 4: Historic Fargo Theater/Global Electric Motor Car Tour/Roger Maris Exhibit
Day 5: Travel Home

Cost is $885 per person (double)
Book by April 1 to save $35
Deposit of $100 due with reservation

Travel Show in the Board Room at SCSB Main Branch, March 15, 3:00pm