The year was 2007 and I moved to Fort Dodge, IA to attend Iowa Central Community College to run cross country and track and learn a little bit. I became wrapped up in the negativity associated with Fort Dodge, heard all the stereotypes, the reputations, and I took everything at face value, and got out quick in the fall of 2008. I transferred to UNI and graduated in 2011 with a BA in English Education. I got my first teaching job in Eagle Grove, IA which is about 25 minutes northeast of Fort Dodge. My fiance's family (she is now my wife) lives in Fort Dodge so we made the decision to find a place to live in Fort Dodge, as opposed to a small town, since we knew we didn't want to spend more than 5 years here. My response: Oh great, back to Fort Dodge.
People would talk to me about Fort Dodge, and my response was always negative. That it was a crappy town, with not a whole lot going for it. People asked me why I didn't just try to find a teaching job in Fort Dodge, and my response would always fall back to some negative comment about the town. Then something changed. But before that let's get a glimpse of this town.Most people enter town on 5th Avenue South, or Old Highway 20. When you get into town you are greeted with a string of businesses, mostly chain restaurants. The town has recently added a nice aquatic center, a fun center (bumper cars, mini golf, go carts, laser tag, etc.), and a brand new middle school on this side of town (east). As you get further downtown, things look a little bleak to an outsider, but it only takes some familiarization to know that downtown has some great opportunities as well. Iowa Central is all the way on the West end of town and potentially has some of the nicest facilities the town has. We have a rec center, plenty of shopping, plenty of restaurants, and big business like Cargill, CJ Bio, Koch, and Boehringer, are huge for this town. We have golf courses, an aquatic center, mini golf, bowling, sporting goods, a small zoo, a lot of parks, and great events like Shellabration (this year Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming), and the Dragon Boat Bash, along with Frontier Days, Octoberfest, The HyVee Half Marathon, just to name a few. You have a great mix of big businesses and smaller local businesses. We have a public school system and a private parochial school system. You have bad parts of town and good parts of town. You have good people and you have bad people. You have drugs, alcohol, problems, but you also have families, churches, and community.
The amazing part about what I just explained above in that paragraph doesn't just apply to Fort Dodge, IA, it can apply to almost any town, city, or village in the United States. But why does Fort Dodge attract such a negative reputation or attract those negative attitudes? That's a great question and I don't really have the answer. I don't know the history of this town very well, and I would assume it stems from that, but progress is not made by dwelling on the past, it's made by focusing on the future.
Now let's get to my epiphany. Last year in April I, along with a few others, organized a small 5k to raise money for those affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings. We got everything ready in under 7 days. Advertising, donations, logistics, etc. I expected no more than 30-40 people to show up and I could hopefully write a check for 200 dollars to send out to Boston. What happened exceeded my expectations, and that's an understatement. We had just shy of 300 individuals show up for the event and raised just over 6000 dollars. I was brought to tears and I was a bit overwhelmed by this at the time, but what it did for me is change my perspective about this community.
There are great people in Fort Dodge, IA that want to make a difference, but often times the negativity over powers that progression. I am here to say that Fort Dodge is a great community with great people. It has a great school system that I am happy to employed by now. It has great events, great opportunities, and there is no doubt in my mind that Fort Dodge is moving forward. To all the naysayers, and complainers out there, I ask a few simple questions: What are you doing to make this place better? And if you aren't trying to make it better, why are you still here?
Now let's talk about change. I don't think Fort Dodge, IA is the greatest place in the world, and I don't think it's the best it ever will be, or perhaps has ever been. I love this community, and I know it has great things coming, but that takes leadership and the willingness to drop the negativity, drop the reputation, and focus on the future. It takes evaluating what Fort Dodge has, what Fort Dodge needs, and what the people of Fort Dodge want. What are we missing? Are there any disconnects? It takes community involvement, events worthy of attending, advertising, economy, and positive attitudes. I believe all of these things are progressing in full force. My only request if you live in this community, have lived in this community, live near this community, or know of this community, don't bash on it solely because others do. Don't bash on this community because a few people rubbed you the wrong way. Don't bash on this community because of crime. Instead, praise this community for the progress it's making. Praise this community for the willingness to expand and accept new businesses. Praise this community for a school system that is making some big leaps in the educational realm today. Praise this community for its diversity and opportunities.
A lot of people ask, "so what is there to do in Fort Dodge?" It's a hard question to answer, because you just have to look and search for it. Get out every once in awhile. Head down to Amigo's on a Wednesday night for live music and an awesome crowd. Head over to Fort Frenzy and have a blast racing go carts. Head out to Willow Ridge and play a round of golf, followed by a nice meal. Head down to Snell Crawford for a nice run, walk, or bike ride, and maybe play a round of frisbee golf. Visit local shops like the Cheesecake Lady, Nettie's, the Dariette, Brown's Shoefit, or Hardy's Cady Shack Cafe. Have a drink at Sneakers, Community, Lefties, or Sport's Page and catch a game while you're at it. Float around the lazy river at Rosedale Rapids. Head down to Market on Central every other Saturday over the summer, or participate at Third Thursday Fit Night over the summer. Run a 5k, 10k, or half marathon, they are available all the time. Head out to Kennedy Park for a walk around the lake. Buy a Decker Tee at Decker's infamous tent sale. Head down to Oleson Park Zoo and see the animals. Get a family photo shoot done at Greendoor Photography. Head out to the Fort Museum to travel back in time. Head down to the public library and check out a book, or check out some of the events they host. Enroll in some classes out at Iowa Central. Be involved. Organize your own event. The sky is always the limit.
I thought originally I would be here for 5 years...tops, but I know now I am here long term. I loved Eagle Grove the three years I taught there, but I have grown to love the community I have called home for the past 3 years as well. Fort Dodge may have a bad rep, and negative people, but there are so many great positive people that have great voices. Those voices need to be heard and need to be utilized. Fort Dodge is a great place, and if you don't believe me, start surrounding yourself with good people, and start opening your eyes a bit. Go Dodgers.
