Pocahontas County Local Leaders Tour Guide – Part 1

This is part one of a blog series that features local community leaders sharing some of their favorite parts about Pocahontas County. Community leaders featured in this blog are from Havelock, Palmer, Pocahontas, and Rolfe. Stay on the lookout for part two to hear from residents in the other five Pocahontas communities!

Havelock – Mike Williams, Havelock Iowa.  Sales Agronomist for Gold Eagle Coop and Farmer in Pocahontas County.  I do a lot of my farm and personal business with Pocahontas County businesses as well as support local shops and restaurants. I have two children; one who just started school in the Pocahontas School District and the other attends the local daycare center, so my wife and I keep very involved in community events through our children as well.

• Favorite part of your community?
  • The closeness between all the people, whether you know them or not, and knowing there is always someone there to help. For a county our size, we are definitely lucky to have all the great businesses and recreational opportunities.
• Favorite place to eat in Pocahontas County?
  • Favorite place for a good meal would be Jonny B’s, although we are big pizza fans when our schedules get busy so we also support the local Pizza Ranch, Casey’s or Rolfe Heartland for pizza night.
• Favorite way to spend leisure time in Pocahontas County?
  • We spend a lot of time at the Pocahontas Golf Club, camping at Meredith Park (Plover Pit) and an occasional night out with friends in uptown Pocahontas.

Palmer – Julie Rosenboom, City Clerk/Treasurer (since July 1991). Involved in the financial end of the City being the City Clerk.

• Favorite part of your community?
  • Small friendly town, low crime, almost none, quiet most of the time.
• Favorite place to eat in Pocahontas County?
  •  Family Table in Pocahontas.
• Favorite way to spend leisure time in Pocahontas County?
  • Just enjoying the quiet outdoors during the time we can sit outside.

Pocahontas – Joan DeWall, City Administrator, City of Pocahontas.

• Favorite part of your community?
  • The City, “our town” continues to move forward with improvements.  We make sure when people drive through it looks like a place they would like to stop and visit. Pocahontas looks inviting. 
• Favorite place to eat in Pocahontas County?
  • Jonny B’s.  Lynn & Jon always have new specials and everything is fantastic!!  
• Favorite way to spend leisure time in Pocahontas County?
  • Golfing, Pocahontas & Fonda both have amazing courses. 

Rolfe – Wendy Panbecker Brand Manager, Director of Pocahontas County Foundation, Member of Pocahontas County Visioning Committee, President of Rolfe Golf Board, Pocahontas Pheasants Forever, Pocahontas County Trail Committee, Rolfe Park and Rec Board Member, 4-H Leader Guys and Gals of Grant, Rolfe Alumni Committee

• Favorite part of your community?
  • That in times of need, everyone pulls together.  Also, for such small communities there really is a lot of recreational opportunities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I have felt very fortunate to live here. We hear about all of the things going on in the cities around our country and it is a nice feeling to wake up feeling safe and not too confined.  We have the ability to enjoy the outdoors.
• Favorite place to eat in Pocahontas County?
  •  My favorite place to eat is not a restaurant but actually is just my home with a home-cooked meal. So many nights this time of year are spent in a gym or grabbing food on the go. So, I relish in the moment to have a meal at home.
• Favorite way to spend leisure time in Pocahontas County?
  • In the summer there are three things I like to do, run on the Three Rivers Trail, play golf at the Rolfe Golf Club and get the kids ready for fair.  The Three Rivers Trail begins in Rolfe and goes to Eagle Grove.  The trail from Rolfe to Bradgate, in my opinion, is the most scenic and relaxing place in our county. Often I see deer and many smaller animals on the trail, one time I even saw two peacocks.  The Rolfe golf course is a place I have spent a lot of time.  It is a small course but fun to play and most times challenging.

Looking to visit any of the places mentioned in this article? Book your stay in Pocahontas County, find your route with our interactive map of businesses and attractions, or browse our trip ideas to discover more!