Newton Masonic Lodge to host sweet corn and smoked sausage feed July 25

Newton Masonic Lodge No. 59 is used to feeding folks while raising money for a good cause. For some time the fraternal group has held monthly breakfasts at its home base on the west side of the town square, but on Friday the members are taking their cooking to the curb and serving up an Iowa staple for families.

They’re calling it Corn on the Curb. The inaugural event is a curb-side smoked sweet corn and smoked sausage sale 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, July 25 in front of the Newton Masonic Lodge, 208 First Ave. W., in the town square. Funds raised from the event will go towards the Books for Bikes reading incentive program.

AJ Arrendell, senior warden for Newton Masonic Lodge, said the fresh Iowa sweet corn and sausage will be smoked in pit barrel smokers. The meals will be packaged curbside and delivered to awaiting community members. The idea for a corn feed came about as a fun way to give back to the community.

“Events like this is really what fraternity is all about,” Arrendell said in a recent interview with Newton News. “It’s all about getting guys together to enjoy each other’s company with the purpose of achieving a great goal. We’re really thrilled about doing that.”

Teachers say the Books for Bikes program energizes their students. Arrendell loves the idea that any second- or third-grader can earn a chance at getting a new and quality bicycle just by participating in the program and reading books. The program, at its heart, speaks to the Masonic Lodge’s mission.

“In Masonry, we talk about brotherly love, relief and truth,” Arrendell said. “This project is brotherly love for me — neighbors helping neighbors. When a child wins a truly nice bicycle, especially when that kind of purchase might not fit a family budget, it’s a big deal.”

Other events Arrendell had a part in was hosting a fundraiser breakfast for the Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County a few months ago. The money went towards the organization’s pursuits in getting a Safe Haven Baby Box established in Newton, which would be the third of its kind in the state.

Pancake breakfasts are still available the second Saturday of every month. The all-you-can eat event is $7 per person. Proceeds go toward community projects.

HOW DOES THE DRIVE-UP WORK?

Community members wanting a taste of sweet corn and sausage should call ahead at 641-792-5258. Callers need to provide a name and phone number, their order size and the make and color of the vehicle they’re driving in. Runners will deliver sealed orders straight to customers’ cars for fast, contact-free service.

“They’re going to call the Lodge and we’re going to have somebody sitting up in our office taking orders,” he said. “People can show up to purchase, too, but we want people to call. People are going to come up and we’re going to try and take care of them. It’s $10 for a meal. A meal consists of two sausages and two corn.”

Payment is cash only and collected at the vehicle. Tips are welcome and will be accepted as additional donations toward the 2026 Books for Bikes program.

WHAT’S THE BOOK FOR BIKES PROGRAM?

Books for Bikes was launched in 2023 by Newton Masonic Lodge and local business Mojo Cycling, which provided the helmets and assembled the bikes.

The program is available to all second- and third-graders in Newton Community School District. Each competed reading log gets students a raffle for one bike per grade, per school. At the end of the year, winners are drawn at random. In 2023, eight bikes were given away. Last year, 28 bikes were awarded.

Joe Urias, owner of Mojo Cycling and a Newton Cardinal, struggled with dyslexia as a child. He credits the efforts of his teachers — especially the late grade-school teacher Eloise Anthony — for helping him through the affliction and leading him on the path of a 4.0 grade point average in college.

Urias told Newton News in 2023 that getting on board with a program that incentives kids to read was a no-brainer.

“I can only imagine if you can pull some kid that’s not used to reading and have an incentive of a new bike for them, I mean it could change their life,” Urias said to Newton News in a past interview.