Staff, board members and other volunteers are fully engaged in the busiest event season. Along with all the preparations, timelines, and volunteer organization, OCMS looks ahead to 2021 priorities and goals.
Events: Smithsonian Museum- Oct. 10-Nov. 22; Trunk or Treat – Oct 30; Wine Walk – Nov 6; Holiday Brilliance/Shop Small - November 28
Strategic Planning
The OCMS Board met for the annual Strategic Planning retreat September 16th. Director Ashleigh Eckels began with the question: What is one thing our downtown needs? Answers included a micro-brewery, more dining options and a fabric, fibers, and craft shop.
Major priorities for the Historic District remain focused on the partnership with the city for the 2021 streetscape plan and saving/ restoring historic buildings for new purposes and enhancing the downtown experience with murals and pocket parks.
Business strategies, however, reach out to all OCMS members. With help from Clarke County Development Corporation, OCMS implemented the Building Improvement Grant, to be used for exterior building improvements. “We hope all our businesses look into the Building Improvement Grant to help with whatever their needs are,” stated Eckels.
Smithsonian Museum on Main Street: Voices and Votes-Democracy in Action
OCMS Staff, Main Street Iowa Coordinator, Robin Bostrom, and a few volunteers unpack this important exhibit in the former Robinson’s store October 9th. Exhibit Hours: Oct. 14- Nov. 21, Thursday-Saturday, 10am-3pm, with volunteer shifts of 10am-12:30 and 12:30pm-3pm. We welcome organizations and individuals as ambassadors for the exhibit.
Teachers and administrators please note: OCMS will schedule student groups Monday-Wednesday, first scheduled, first served.
Cruise-In Results
Although Mother Nature threatened rain until the very end of the event, a small but enthusiastic group of exhibitors displayed their valuable investments around the courtyard September 12th, as emcee Tawny Waske kept the tunes and announcements going. No one walked away without an award or raffle prize thanks to sponsors, volunteers, and business support.
The Premiere Sponsor: Fleetside Ford, represented by Manager Terry Wojtowicz and Michael Evink, distributed cold drinks and snacks to all attendees. Gold Sponsors: Hunsicker & Associates, Osceola Foods, and Homestead of Osceola; Silver Sponsors: Miller Products and Clarke County Publishing.
Raffle prizes came from these generous businesses: First National Bank, Timber Ridge Country Market, Hard Rock Car Wash, NAPA, Chipp’s Harley Davidson, Bob’s Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Sinclair Service, Clarke County Tire, Osceola Farm and Home, Demaray BBQ and O’Hair Automotive.
Event Volunteers included Mark and Vickie Binning, Walen Collins, Angie Williams, Hilary McCoy, Dave Opie, and James Rutherford.
Winners Circle: Best of Show- Frank Jones’s 1966 Corvette; Best Paint-Dusty Henry’s 1950 Chevy Fleetline; Best Interior- Don Carrico’s 1966 Chevy Impala and Top American Made Motorcycle: David Opie’s 1976 FLH Harley Davidson.
Top Ten random order: Denny Miller’s 1974 Chevy Convertible; Don Carrico’s 1966 Chevy Impala; Ken Woodley’s 1987 GMC; Jim Crane’s 1967 Camaro; Matt Modson’s 1968 Buick Grand Sport; Chris Phillips’s 1971 Pontiac Lemans Sport; Dan Hooper’s 1934 Dodge Pickup; Craig McCloney’s 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA; David Twillgear’s 1951 Chevy Sedan Delivery; and Frank Jones’s 1966 Corvette. Dan Hooper won the 50-50 raffle.
Golf Tournament Results
Nine teams participated in the annual golf tournament rescheduled from June: Simco, Osceola Foods, Clarke Electric, Stoney Oak, Carl Christensen’s Team, Jodi Reindl’s Team, Hy-Vee, Lakeside Casino and Hotel, and Hunsicker Insurance. All participants were treated to lunch from Timber Ridge Country Market and received a bag packed with goodies from OCMS, local businesses and sponsors.
Hole sponsor, Fleetside Ford offered a one-year car lease to anyone getting a hole-in-one on number eight. Other hole sponsors included Saylor Realty, Jim’s Sanitation, Bud Jones Construction, American State Bank, and Osceola Foods.
Thank you to Nikki Passuti, Tim Riddle and staff at Osceola Municipal Golf Course and these volunteers: Lori Ehrhardt, Hillary McCoy, Dave Bemis, and Vickie Binning.
*all winners listed under golf photo
Unclaimed Fourth of July Prizes
The following winners have unclaimed prizes at the OCMS office: Trevor White, DJ Islas, Staci Tull, Marlene Burgus, Alex Still, Lori Henrichs, Natalie Stephenson, Marlene Burgus, Elliyah Robinson, Staci Wuthrich, Becky Jones Webb, Jessica Smith, Candace Cummings, and Sherry Palmer.
Business Buzz
September is Hunger Action Month and The Iron Horse Neighborhood Grill partnered with the Clarke and the Chariton Charger Middle School Food Pantries to combat childhood hunger. One donation = One entry into a drawing for a $100 Gift Card! Donations accepted at Osceola and Chariton restaurant locations.
Autumn in the Alley, sponsored by Ivy Rose and Mayberry's, is October 3rd; reservations required. Tickets are $32.
SalonRED and Day Spa has added Vendor Handmade Crafts, and a Handicap Accessible Treatment Room.
Flowers N' More has a job opportunity! Check their Facebook page for more information. Mail or email resume to Ronda at 143 S. Main St. 50213 or flowersnmore@iowatelecom.net
Do you have business news to share? Call or email OCMS 342.4200 or ocms@osceolaia.net