Communicator Volume 41, Number 1 January 2016
Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group
29-YEAR IOWA MAIN STREET COMMUNITY
A Note from the Director...
Cheers to a new year! he Chamber has hit the ground running to start 2016. We hope to see you at many of our exciting things happening this month and throughout the year.
he 2016 Eggs and Issues series will begin on January 9th. hese sessions will be on the second and fourth Saturdays in January, February, and March. As we have done it in the past, the irst session will be City and County issues. New this year, will be a second local session on Feb 27th to cover more local issues. he other dates, will be with our state oicials. hese forums will be held at Smokey Row from 8:30 to 9:30 am MidWestOne Bank will be providing complimen-tary cofee.
he winter weather has inally made an appearance ater a mild December. hink warmer thoughts and join us on January 14th at 5:30 pm at the Chamber to hear about the Treasures of Ireland trip set for Sep-tember 2016. Mike Campbell of Chamber Explora-tions will be providing a presentation about the trip. He will take us on a visual journey of the nine day trip and answer any questions. You do not have to commit to going on the trip by participating in this presentation. Please call 641-672-2591 or email me at [email protected] to let me know if you will be joining me to hear about this amazing experience. I look forward to seeing you there.
And as always my door is open and the cofee is
always fresh. I would love to hear from you.
- Valinn McReynolds
Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group124 N Market St., Oskaloosa, IA 52577
P: 672.2591 • F: 672.2047www.oacdg.org • [email protected]
William Penn Partners with KYOU
for Nightly Newscast
William Penn University has partnered with Fox ailiate KYOU from Ottumwa to produce a weeknight newscast from Penn’s facilities, using students from Penn’s Digital Communication Program.
“I think what we have here is a unique situation that you’re not going to see in many other places. he fact that we have a local ailiate, nightly newscast, being produced directly from here is just amazing,” said Digital Communication Program Director Matt Wagner. KYOU will rely on students to ill the crew positions in the control room.
“I think it’s going to be really cool. I’m going to be able to show my parents, and obviously my family, the stuf I’m doing behind the scenes and what I’m producing,” said William Penn senior Lauren Abbas.
On October 2, 2015 Oskaloosa became a Blue Zones Project Certiied City! What does that mean for the community of Os-kaloosa? It means that businesses, grocery stores, schools, city oicials and citizens are
going to make sure that the healthy choice is the easy choice!
Blue Zones Project, founded by Dan Buettner, stands on 9 powerful principles:• Move Naturally• Know Your Purpose• Down Shit• Stop eating when you are 80% full
• Make Plants an important part of your diet• Have some down time, have a glass of wine, pray, read, relax • Right tribe: make sure you have supportive people in your life• Community: attend a faith based service, be part of a larger group• Loved ones irst: nurture a monogamous relationship and keep your aging parents nearby
William Penn Continued on Page 3
Blue Zones Continued on Page 3
2 Communicator January 2016
NEW OACDG MEMBERS:Oskaloosa Community School DistrictLocal contact: Russell Reiter1800 North 3rd StreetOskaloosa, IA 52577Phone: 641-673-8345
he Simba ShopLocal contact: Jessica & Michael Gituma301 A Ave. East Oskaloosa, IA 52577Phone: 641-676-7622
he Simba Shop strives to create global community change by sup-porting Fair Trade principles. Each purchase links customers back to the farmers and artisans who made the products. he Simba Shop has created their own cofee brand “Kahawa Cup”. Open Monday-Friday 7:30am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 10am - 2pm. Visit he Simba Shop or Kahawa Cup on Facebook.
St. James’ Episcopal ChurchLocal contact: Lorraine Sinnott, Treasurer207 South 3rd StreetOskaloosa, IA 52577Phone: 641-673-4218Website: www.stjamesoskaloosa.org
St James is located at the southwest corner of First Avenue East and South hird Street and is easily recognized by the tall bell tower and the Episcopal shield in the sign on the corner. he liturgical service begins at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday with Rev. Terence J. Kleven, Priest-In-Charge. Special services are ordinarily held on Ash Wednesday, Maundy hursday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
he Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Eggs and Issues series for 2016. hese sessions are held on the second and fourth Saturday of the months of January, February, and March. As done in the past, the irst session will be City and County issues. New this year, will be a second local session on February 27 to cover more
local issues. he other dates, will be with state oicials. hese forums will be held at Smokey Row from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. MidWestOne Bank will be pro-viding complimentary cofee.
Dates are as follows:January 9 (City and County Issues), January 23, February 13, February 27 (Local Issues- Recreation and Early Childhood Education Center, Branding, and Chamber of Commerce), March 12, March 26
All of the sessions will be reported on through the Oskaloosa Herald, KBOE, Osky News, and CRI.
he OACDG looks forward to your input. For more information please con-tact 641-672-2591 or [email protected]
MahaskaFutureView and OACDG 990 Forms and other organizational documents are available for public inspection
at the Chamber oice, 124 N Market St. Oskaloosa.
Your HomeProject Team
Interiors by Val• window treatments• floor coverings • tile
• cabinets & countertops• lights • paint selectionProfessional installation
available for all products sold
Val VanWaardhuizen & Janel Campbell
673-5770 for an appt.116 1st Ave. East, Oskaloosa
www.interiorsbyval.comwww.trubank.orgMember FDIC
302 South Market • Oskaloosa, IA 52577641-673-8405
Tina Steffen, Administrator
605 Highway 432 • Oskaloosa, IA 52577641.676.3414
fax: [email protected]
641.676.HOME216 North B Street
Oskaloosa, IA 52577Licensed in Iowa
To view our listings visit www.LegacyGroupOsky.com
Craig DemingRealtor
641.780.0358 cell
Michelle PurdumBroker/Owner/Realtor
641.660.0558 cell
Ruthi RogersRealtor
641.569.3347 cell
Chris FynaardtRealtor
641.295.4354 cell
NELSON PIONEER FARM & MUSEUMFirst Museum in Iowa to honor the pioneer farmer.2211 Nelson Lane • P.O. Box 578 • Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Mahaska County Historical Society, Inc.www.nelsonpioneer.org. • (641) 672-2989
See you in 2016!!!
ues.
e e
,
E,
-
n
• window treatments• floor coverings • tile
• cabinets & countertops• lights • paint selection
673-5770 for an appt.16 1st Ave. East, Oskaloosawww.interiorsbyval.com
302 South Market • Oskaloosa, IA 52577641-673-8405
605 Highway 432 • Oskaloosa, IA 52577641.676.3414
fax: [email protected]
641.676.HOME
Oskaloosa, IA 52577Licensed in Iowa
view our listings visit www.LegacyGroupOsky.com
2211 Nelson Lane • P.O. Box 578 • Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577Mahaska County Historical Society, Inc.
www.nelsonpioneer.org. • (641) 672-2989
January 2016 Communicator 3William Penn Partners with KYOU Continued from page 1
Along with giving DigiComm students an oppor-tunity to bolster their resume, Penn also revamped its studio with the help of KYOU, purchasing two new video switchers, new lighting, and new HD television screens. KYOU will broadcast its news at 9 p.m. covering the Southeast Iowa and Missouri area, but there will also be another studio available for students to use for their projects. It’s been a year of planning and upgrading that was made possible by the work put in by several entities.
“It’s MCG and the Musco IT team, our IT team and KYOU. his was very much a team efort and it took all these parties, who had other things in their agenda when we started talking about this, to understand the vision of what it would do for our students. And I just really appreciate all their hard work to make this happen,” said William Penn President John Ottosson.
All that hard work is already paying of. “he students here at William Penn University are absolutely amaz-ing. hey all seem to really get into it and care about the product they produce. And it’s been exciting to work with students with that high quality,” says KYOU General Manager Mike Elrod. “It’s a win-win, and the students are pumped.”
“Oh, it is so exciting. I was watching with my mom and I play video because I do media and I’d be like, ‘Mom! I played that video that was me, I did that.’ And it’s a sense of accomplishment, and it’s one of the greatest feelings,” said William Penn sophomore Elizabeth Christy.
Any Penn student is eligible to apply to KYOU. For more information on Penn’s DigiComm Program, con-tact William Penn at 641.673.1001.
Blue Zones Project
Continued from page 1
he New Year is right around the corner. Why not pick a few of these Power 9™ principles as goals and ap-ply them to your own life?
Get in the BLUE Zone with this special feature in the Communica-tor throughout 2016. Content will be provided by Mahaska Health Part-nership Community Wellness Coor-dinator Ann Smith. In her new role with MHP, Ann will be coordinating community outreach programs and wellness activities at MHP.
he George Daily Auditorium presents:
Million Dollar Quartethursday, January 28, 2016
at 7:30 pm
Adults $37, Students $15
2401 Crestview Drive • Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Call for Appt. 641-673-3000
Devoted care for older [email protected]
All Therapies Available • Pleasant Environment
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
June 25, 201610:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Taking place around Town Square, Oskaloosa, IA 52577Register online at: http://www.relayforlife.org/mahaskacountyia
For more information contact:
Tara Eisele • [email protected] • 515.727.0054or Local Chairs Wyatt & Amanda Russell 641-295-1714
Relay For Life ofMahaska County
mahaskahealth.org
4 Communicator January 2016
Michael A. Busch, Financial Advisor cuts the ribbon at his Edwards Jones oice which recently relocated into Trolley Place at 114 High Ave. West in Oskaloosa. Busch has been serving Oskaloosa since 2012, and he or assistant Jan Dugger can be reached at 641.676.5971. Brandon Kain, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones has recently
opened an oice at 301 North 1st Street in Oskaloosa. Brandon has been with Edward Jones for two years. Brandon and his wife Katie are excited to be in Oskaloosa where residents are family oriented and value driven.
Business Ater HoursJoin William Penn University’s Digital Communi-cation Program and KYOU 15, a Fox ailiate out of Ottumwa, as they celebrate their recent part-nership. Business Ater Hours will take place on January 21 at 5:00 pm at the Musco Technol-ogy Center on the William Penn University Cam-
pus. Come and learn more about the exciting partnership, take a tour of the upgraded facilities, and meet the student crew and KYOU staf.
2 Fair People, dba he Simba Shop held a ribbon cutting at 301 A Ave. East in Os-kaloosa. Cutting the ribbon with the diplo-mats are Alex Mihigo, Jessica, Michael and heresa Gituma. Co-owners Jessica and Michael Gituma
import the raw beans for roasting and grinding in their store. Ater doing “fair trade” business with home décor and jewelry for some time, they have now created their own cofee brand “Kahawa Cup”. heir moto says, “It’s NOT Just a Cup.” By supporting the farmer that grew the bean, one can create global community change. Purchase a cup to drink, or a bag of beans to brew. Visit the store or call 641.676.7622.
You’ll find....• Community forum...
Read what Oskaloosans have to say• Online local.com...
No more need for numerous’phone books
• Question of the week...Vote your opinion weekly
• Local News...Review and respond to localnews articles
• Local Sports...Up to the minute scores oflocal High School sports
• Local Weather...Complete storm tracking
• Letters to the Editor...Respond to local editorials
• State & National News... Up to the minute updates!• Yard Sale Map• Zillow.com• Auto Conx• Monster.com• Community Calendar
OSKALOOSA.COM
Oskaloosa’s very own web site...
OSKALOOSA.COM
New 2015-2016ChamberDirectory
andTourism Guidesare available at
the Chamberoffice.
MAHASKA
DRUGCOMMITTED TO A
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
205 North E St. • Oskaloosa • Ph. 673-3439
STORE HOURS: MON.-FRI. 8-9; SAT. 9-6; SUN. 10-5
Thanks to the work of 10-15 Transit,United Way of Mahaska County, the City
of Oskaloosa, and several local businesssponsors, Oskaloosa is entering its
second season of the transit bus system.
(A call-schedule-ride paratransit pick up and delivery service is
available for those with physical limitations who are unable to
make it to the bus stop by calling dispatch, 1.800.220.6390)
The bus is available along a designated routefrom 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every week on Monday,Wednesday and Friday at a cost of $1 per ride.
• Community forum...Read what Oskaloosans have to say
• Online local.com...No more need for numerous’phone books
• Question of the week...Vote your opinion weekly
• Local News...Review and respond to localnews articles
• Local Sports...Up to the minute scores oflocal High School sports
• Local Weather...Complete storm tracking
• Letters to the Editor...Respond to local editorials
• State & National News... Up to the minute updates!• Yard Sale Map• Zillow.com• Auto Conx• Monster.com• Community Calendar
205 North E St. • Oskaloosa • Ph. 673-3439
January 2016 Communicator 5
Above: Young Ambassador winners Whitney Steinlage and Baylen Brink riding the Clow Train.
Above: Citizen of the Year Marsha Riordan enjoying the nice weather during the parade this year!
Let: DeJong Greenhouse received the Judge’s Choice award for their loat in the Lighted Christmas Parade.
Mahaska received the trophy for Most Outstanding Large Business
2015 Lighted Christmas Parade and Events
he Main Street Holiday Luncheon was enjoyed by a record crowd this year at he Peppertree. A delicous meal, entertainment and door prizes were a part of this year’s 13th annual event.
Let: Even the animals enjoyed the parade weather this year!
OSKALOOSA HERALDConnect with us whenever you want, however you want!!
Your local news is availableacross all platforms.
Activate your online access now!
Call for assistance.
641-672-2581www.oskaloosa.com
6 Communicator January 2016
COLOR ME
OSKALOOSA
RTWORK
It is time to let your imagination be free. Main Street Oskaloosa would like to see your artwork at Art on the Square on June 11, 2016. Contest rules are as follows:
• Please pick up an Oskaloosa Montage poster as your ‘color me’ pallet, located at the Oskaloosa Main Street office beginning January 1, 2016!
• All participants will have the same poster. Posters will be numbered and must be returned for a silent auction. Poster will require a $10 deposit, which will be returned after the colored poster is received by the Oskaloosa Main Street office. All entries must be returned by May 6, 2016.
• Be creative with your poster - use paint, colored pencils, crayons, watercolor - whatever your creative mind designs.
• All ages are welcome! Artwork will be divided into three categories for judging: Children (ages 2-5), Youth (ages 6-14), Adult (15 +). There will be a first place winner in each category, who will receive 50% of their auctioned piece as their prize winning. All other colored poster donation money will go towards Oskaloosa Main Street seasonal decorations for downtown Oskaloosa.
For more information, contact Karen Hafner at [email protected] or call 672.2591.
™
Name: ______________________________________
Email:_______________________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Age as of June 11, 2016:_________________________
Poster #_____ Deposit date ($10) _________________
MAIN STREETMAIN STREET
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Mark Your Calendars for 2016 OACDG Events
May 12 - OACDG Annual BanquetMay 13 - OACDG Scholarship Golf TournamentJune 3 - Friday Ater FiveJune 11 - Art on the SquareJuly 8 - Friday Ater FiveJuly 28 - Main Street Sweet Corn SerenadeAugust 5 - Friday Ater FiveOctober 31 - Main Street Trick or Treat ParadeNovember 28 - Young Ambassador ContestDecember 1– Lighted Christmas ParadeDecember 2 - Oskaloosa Main Street’s Holiday Show
hank You! From Main Street Director, Karen HafnerWe would like to thank you for your participation in this year’s parade. he loats were beautiful. Your dedication and time put into the loats are appreciated. his year was an exceptional year, we had a great re-sponse from the public with so many positive comments on how much they enjoyed the parade. hank You!
We have a meeting set for Wednesday, January 20 at noon here at the Chamber. You are welcome to attend and give your input. During this meeting we take suggestions and decide on a theme for next year.
Are you interested in being involved in the growth of Oskaloosa? If you would like to join a Chamber or Main Street committee, call us
today at 672-2591! We have a variety of opportunities available!
Mahaska Co. YMCA414 N. Third St.Oskaloosa 673-8411
We Build Strong Kids,Strong Families, andStrong Communities
Our MEMBERS, AND OUR COMMUNITYMATTERS TO US:
If you missed our December waiving of our activation fee no worries.In January we will be having a different membership drive.
January 2-31 Pay the date Membership Drive
January 14th Member Appreciation Day, 7 am-3 pm come join us for free refreshments.You must be 18 years or older.
January 2016 Communicator 7
he Mahaska Young Professionals have the events set for 2016!
January: Bowling at Mahaska BowlFebruary: Rollerskating at Spinning WheelsMarch: Art UncorkedApril: Lake Keomah BonireMay: Park Clean-upJune: Friday Ater FiveJuly: Disc Golf & BBQAugust: Wine & Cheese PairingSeptember: Iowa vs Iowa StateOctober: OktoberfestNovember: FriendsgivingDecember: Chili Cook-Of
In addition, social hour will take place on the irst hursday of every month at 5:30 pm. January through June will be at On the Green and July through December will be at he Cellar Peanut Pub. For more information about Ma-haska Young Professionals, contact 672-2591.
January 12, 2016
@ 6:30 pm
Mahaska Bowl1700 A Ave E. Oskaloosa
Cost: $7
Bring a pair of socks!
Are you a Chamber member?Call the Chamber today
at 641.672.2591 if you wouldlike to have an ad in the
Communicator!
This publication is sent toall OACDG members as well
as inserted in theOskaloosa Shopper to all
homes in the county!
Dear Youth Theatre Families & Friends,
As we start a new year with the George Daily Youth Theatre, I want to update you on all the exciting things happening with our program. Our After School Program continues with four sessions in Oskaloosa and two with the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont School District. Along with our normal programming, we’ve embarked on an ambitious series of educational outreach opportunities through our professional touring season, with every show allowing us to partner with area school districts.
Accessibility has a cost and the George Daily Auditorium usually runs at a deicit to make our programming available for everyone. This year, we anticipate giving our $6,000 in scholarship funds and discounts for families to attend camp.
By donating to Friends of the Auditorium, the 501(c)3 non-proit organization that runs the George Daily Auditorium, you can help make our programming available to every child. Your tax-deductible donation can change the lives of young people by cultivating creativity, communication, and other life skills for our students.
A one-time monthly donation of $70 allows one studentto attend one session.
A monthly donation of $25 allows four students to attend one session. Just 18 people giving a monthly donation of $25 would
meet our goal for the year. There are many ways you can give, from a one-time gift to setting up a small monthly donation by contacting our ofice at (641) 672-0799. Send your tax-deductible contribution to George Daily Auditorium, 1800 N 3rd St, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 or go online at www.georgedaily.org. Last year, the Auditorium made art accessible to almost 1500 students in Oskaloosa and Mahaska County. With your assistance, we can continue our tradition of outstanding, accessible, and professional arts education. You can help Daily make a difference. Sincerely, Andy McGuire, Education Director
2172 230th Street, Hwy. 63 N., P.O. 380
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577-0380
Ph: 641.673.3493 • Fax: 641.673.3495On the web: www.kboeradio.com
Mahaska Veterinary Clinic
T.J. Donohue, DVM
T.A. Carmichael, DVM
N.C. Peterson, DVM
2348 Highway 92 • Oskaloosa, IA 52577641.673.0431 ph. • 641.673.6537 fax
1.888.673.0431www.mvcvet.com • [email protected]
One EntreeChinese Meal
OSKALOOSA 673-8663PHARMACY 673-0259 • FLORAL 673-9737
www.hy-vee.comSTORE HOURS: 6 A.M. - MIDNIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK
LIMIT 1 WITH COUPON. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER.GOOD ONLY AT OSKALOOSA HY-VEE THRU JANUARY 31. 2016.
PLU 550HY-VEE COUPON
$399