Although I have not lived there for many years, my hometown is a small farming community in Muscatine, Iowa. Population, including surrounding county is approx. 40,000.
I think you will find it very interesting.
Muscatine is also the home to two Fortune 500 companies, HON Industries (office furniture) & Bandag, Inc. (tires). Many other large companies also reside in this small community of close knit families.
The city is just 15 miles south of Interstate 80 and in close proximity to major business hubs such as the Quad Cities, Des Moines, Chicago & St. Louis. It is believed the town was named after the Mascoutin Indians who lived in this area in the 18th century. On the riverfront park there is a statue of a Mascoutin Indian. Muscatine is a unique name not shared with any other city in the world.
All six of my children were born in my hometown, but only one remains. Pam occassionally writes for the hometown newspaper as a correspondent as well as raising her family there. You can visit that link at: www.muscatinejournal.com to see some of the local goings on. As a child growing up in a small town, there was plenty to do. We had chores on the farm and fun times was attending the Muscatine County Fair in West Liberty, Iowa. But the real fun was going to the Des Moines Fair in August. Since August is my birthday, it was a special treat for me. I will be attending again this year. My favorite place in Muscatine has always been the river walk......located on the bend of the Mississippi River. Quiet & pretty.
Mark Twain, who lived in Muscatine in 1854, once wrote:
"I remember Muscatine for its summer sunsets. I have never seen any on either side of the ocean that equaled them."
From Mark Twain to Muscatine melons, the city has a long & proud history of supporting agriculture and innovative technology.