(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – The unveiling ceremony for the Mahaska County Courthouse Historical Marker is set for Tuesday, May 1 at noon. The ceremony will be located at the Courthouse, 106 South 1st Street on the Square in Oskaloosa and the public is invited to attend.

This is the second historical marker to be placed as part of the volunteer, community-based Historical Building Marker project. According to committee member Ann Brouwer, the project is made possible by the volunteer efforts of many people and businesses throughout the community.

Initially, eight downtown buildings and the fire station have been targeted by the group for historical markers. Each historical marker will include the year the building was built, pictures of the building through the years and a few interesting and fun facts to appeal to the community and visitors.

“The first historical marker dedication was held Feb. 15 at the Oskaloosa Fire Station and the response has been extremely positive,” Brouwer said. “People truly are interested in preserving our community’s history for future generations.”

“Thanks to the Oskaloosa Chamber and Development Group, which is hosting a webpage, people can get ‘the rest of the story’ regarding the building. A link to the webpage is located at the bottom of each historical marker,” Brouwer explained. “Because it’s a work in progress, we can add more information as it becomes available and we invite the public to contact us if they have information.”

According to research team leader, Calvin Bandstra, the Mahaska County Courthouse has a fascinating history. “We think many people will learn something they didn’t know through this project,” Bandstra said. “Local attorney Dave Dixon did the research on the courthouse and we were all so pleased with the end result.”

Brouwer and Vavra, as well as committee member, Jennifer Main, said many people are collaborating to make the historical markers possible. The markers themselves were designed by Tessa Van Veldhuizen. Committee members worked with John Grahek from Clow Valve, which is donating the brass for all of the markers. The mold to make the markers was developed by Tom Stone from Musco Lighting and donated to the committee.

Colt Mefford is donating his services to install the historical markers and Lyle Siefering of Mahaska Title is providing the “chain of ownership” on each building for the website. Corporate and individual sponsors have also come forward to cover additional costs.

If you would like more information or you have information to share about our historical buildings, contact Brouwer at 641-660-8075 or Vavra at 641-660-7504.

(PELLA, Iowa) – While the air is still brisk, the tulips are working their way upward and the 83rd annual Tulip Time Festival in Pella, Iowa is not far off. This year’s festival is Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 3, 4 & 5, 2018. The entire family is invited to Pella for “Tulips, Treats and a Blooming Good Time!”

Tulip Time will feature two parades every day, delicious food, thousands of residents in Dutch costumes, flower shows, auto displays, antique implements, city tours, the Dutch Craft Market and of course, tulips.

This year, the parade will feature three new floats focusing on Pella schools, history and business. In addition, the Hairy Nation Boys, an authentic-minded Civil War living history group will bring the Civil War experience to the Pella Historical Village during Tulip Time. See how soldiers lived in the field, including the food and equipment volunteers were issued. Experience a musket-shooting demonstration (using blanks), and company drills at the Historical Village.

Activities begin each day around 9 AM and continue until the lighted evening parade ends around 10 PM. Each evening, the Feesthouden show features live and free special entertainment on the Tulip Toren stage, courtesy of Vermeer Charitable Foundation in honor of Vermeer Corporation’s 70th Anniversary. Feesthouden begins at 7 PM Thursday and Friday and at 6:30 PM on Saturday. Special entertainers at Feesthouden include The Bridge Worship Praise Band on Thursday, Central College Jazz Combos on Friday. Saturday features Faculty Lounge, Des Moines’ premier ten-piece, horn-driven, all-teacher, multi-hyphenated old school funk machine.

Throughout each day, visitors can see the sights from a guided city tour, experience the sights and sounds of the Historical Village, learn about Dutch foods and costumes in our Dutch demo sessions, see Dutch dancing around the town and during grandstand shows, and much more. For a complete schedule, visit www.pellatuliptime.com.

For Tulip Time tickets, call 641-628-4311 or contact businessoffice@pellahistorical.com.

(OTTUMWA, Iowa) – The City of Ottumwa, Iowa was named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Ottumwa achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements; a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dam Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA